Arsenal Must Pay More For Cabaye

Arsenal Must Pay More For Cabaye

According to an ESPN report, Arsenal have been told the exact terms needed for the purchase of Yohan Cabaye, as said by Newcastle United’s controversial director of football Joe Kinnear, who claims the ball is now in Arsenal’s court.

The Gunners have been on the hunt for new players ever since the end of last season, but luck deserted them this summer as most of their targets were bought by rival clubs. Arsene Wenger insisted before the beginning of the season that the squad not losing any core players was in itself a big achievement. However, this achievement was criticized by fans on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League campaign, when Aston Villa beat them at the Emirates Stadium 1-3. Wenger has had to get busy since then, and has been discreet about his targets to avoid price inflations. Even though the Gunners have transfer funds available, Wenger is a fan of paying what the player is worth, and no more.


Arsenal have been linked with a move for midfielder Cabaye in recent weeks, and the link was confirmed when the London based club launched an initial £10 million bid for the Frenchman on the opening weekend of the campaign. Newcastle were due to play Manchester City on Monday night in their opening fixture, and Arsenal’s bid raised alarm bells at St. James Park, as Cabaye was not named in the squad traveling to the Etihad Stadium. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was furious at Arsenal’s bid coming in hours before the kickoff, and flatly turned down the opening bid.

Cabaye is central to Pardew’s plans for the season, and the influential playmaker has an important year ahead of the FIFA World Cup, with the French international side on his horizon. The 27-year old was not involved in Newcastle’s second game of the season against West Ham United, and the fans want to see a resolution to the problem.

With the appointment of Kinnear as the new Director of Football at the club, all transfers are dealt by him, and he has come out in the press to update the fans about the movement.

Kinnear said, “We’ve told Arsenal our terms. The ball is in their court.”