Few can sleep easier from the conclusion of the Cesc Fàbregas saga than Barcelona Vice President of Sport Josep Maria Bartomeu, whose persistence was finally rewarded Monday with Fàbregas’ presentation to the Camp Nou faithful. Bartomeu originally tabled the first offer for the Barcelona youth product in mid-June of this year and spearheaded the efforts of negotiations between the two clubs. Bartomeu acknowledged in a press conference however, that if not for the player’s efforts, the move might have never taken place.
“We really have to thank Cesc for the effort he has made to come here,” Bartomeu said in reference to the 5 million Euros in variables Fàbregas had agreed to with Arsenal and Barcelona. Bartomeu disclosed contract details, and explained that Fàbregas’ transfer settled at 29 million Euros, half up front with the second half to be paid in September.
An additional 5 million Euros will go Arsenal’s way should Barcelona win two Liga titles and a Champions League with Fàbregas’ assistance during the five-year contract—two million for each League title and one million for the Champions league. According to Bartomeu, Arsenal will receive one million Euros annually, which will come straight from Fàbregas’ salary. The contract also features a whopping 200-million-Euro release clause.
“The final push was given by the player,” Bartomeu said in the press conference following the presentation. Contrary to popular opinion in the British media, the biggest impedance in contract negotiations was not Barcelona’s refusal to pay Arsenal’s 45 million Euro valuation of the player, but the club’s inability to do so.
“Reaching an agreement with him was easy. He really wanted to come, but obviously Arsenal didn’t want a great player like him to leave. The negotiations began after the Champions League Final. The 29 million Euros is the figure we’ve maintained from the outset, but it’s clear that the push that Cesc gave has been very important to make his signing a reality,” Bartomeu said.
Accompanying Fàbregas and Bartomeu was Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta, who acknowledged how familiar the Spanish press already is with Barcelona’s newest player. “[Fàbregas] is already known as a player, from this club, with a history and a known and proven track record,” Zubizarreta said.
While Zubizarreta acknowledged competition for a starting position in midfield would prove difficult, Fàbregas possessed the quality to help Barcelona improve in depth.
“Cesc belongs to that percentage of players in the market who we believe will give us something different,” Zubizarreta said.
“We really have to thank Cesc for the effort he has made to come here,” Bartomeu said in reference to the 5 million Euros in variables Fàbregas had agreed to with Arsenal and Barcelona. Bartomeu disclosed contract details, and explained that Fàbregas’ transfer settled at 29 million Euros, half up front with the second half to be paid in September.
An additional 5 million Euros will go Arsenal’s way should Barcelona win two Liga titles and a Champions League with Fàbregas’ assistance during the five-year contract—two million for each League title and one million for the Champions league. According to Bartomeu, Arsenal will receive one million Euros annually, which will come straight from Fàbregas’ salary. The contract also features a whopping 200-million-Euro release clause.
“The final push was given by the player,” Bartomeu said in the press conference following the presentation. Contrary to popular opinion in the British media, the biggest impedance in contract negotiations was not Barcelona’s refusal to pay Arsenal’s 45 million Euro valuation of the player, but the club’s inability to do so.
“Reaching an agreement with him was easy. He really wanted to come, but obviously Arsenal didn’t want a great player like him to leave. The negotiations began after the Champions League Final. The 29 million Euros is the figure we’ve maintained from the outset, but it’s clear that the push that Cesc gave has been very important to make his signing a reality,” Bartomeu said.
Accompanying Fàbregas and Bartomeu was Sporting Director Andoni Zubizarreta, who acknowledged how familiar the Spanish press already is with Barcelona’s newest player. “[Fàbregas] is already known as a player, from this club, with a history and a known and proven track record,” Zubizarreta said.
While Zubizarreta acknowledged competition for a starting position in midfield would prove difficult, Fàbregas possessed the quality to help Barcelona improve in depth.
“Cesc belongs to that percentage of players in the market who we believe will give us something different,” Zubizarreta said.
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