The longest running transfer saga of the summer has finally come to an end as Barcelona have signed Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.
We broke the story earlier in the week on our Arsenal blog, and it looks like all the fine details in the agreement have been finalized. The deal is worth €40m which includes €29 + €6 variables + €5 from Fabregas in bonuses he will not receive.
The variables are that Arsenal will reportedly receive the additional €6 if Barca win La Liga twice and the Champions League during term of Fabregas’s contract.
This transfer saga has been hanging over Arsenal for two plus seasons now, and Arsene Wenger has a chance to move on and rebuild his midfield around Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey plus whoever he brings in with the money raised from the Fabregas sale.
The next 19 days are critical for Arsenal. Not only do they have a tough start to the season (Newcastle A, Liverpool H, Man Utd A), but they also have a crucial Champions League qualifier against Udinese.
On top of the schedule, now Arsenal need to integrate the three or four new signings they will make before the transfer window ends into the team. Makes me wonder why Arsenal waited so long to do this deal. If they had done it three weeks ago, they would have had time to bring players in for these important August games.
For Barcelona they get the player that they have coveted for two plus seasons. With Xavi and Iniesta not getting any younger, Barcelona now have their center midfield pairing for the next 5-7 years in Fabregas and Thiago Alcântara. Fabgregas is expected to be introduced to the Spanish media either Saturday or Monday.
What do you think of the move?
