• Premier League

Puyol attacks Arsenal for blocking Cesc transfer

ESPN staff
July 30, 2010
Carlos Puyol expects to link up with Cesc Fabregas at Barcelona in 2011 © Getty Images
Enlarge

Spain defender Carlos Puyol has attacked Arsenal for not allowing Cesc Fabregas to complete his "dream move" to Barcelona.

Fabregas is believed to have told Gunners boss Arsene Wenger earlier in the summer that he desires a transfer to the Catalan club.

Arsenal have been steadfast in their determination to prevent their skipper joining Barcelona - and they have already rejected a bid for the 23-year-old.

Puyol concedes that Fabregas is unlikely to complete the switch in the near future, but he claims that he "knows" the transfer will go through in 2011.

"He is having to stay at a club where he no longer wants to be for another year," Puyol told the Sun. "I wonder how intelligent it is keeping a player who doesn't want to be there. After seven years of great service, I thought Arsenal could have granted him his dream move.

"Cesc has given everything to Arsenal to try and win a trophy but they haven't matched his expectations. I won't say he is in prison, as we know how privileged we are as football players. But after how clear Cesc made it that he wanted to be in Barcelona, I thought they would have granted him that.

"He is far too classy a guy to say it but the truth is he doesn't want to be at Arsenal this season. His heart is already in Barcelona, even though we must wait another year for his body to be here.

"We know he is arriving next season. Barcelona have a whole year to sort the deal out."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices