Baptista set for Real return

• turbo_drift

  24 May 07, 21:40

  Julio Baptista has been told that Arsenal will not take up the option of signing him permanently.
  
  The Brazilian agreed a season-long loan with The Gunners last summer, with Jose Antonio Reyes moving to Real Madrid in exchange.
  
  Wenger has now travelled to Madrid to discuss both players' futures, and has reached the decision that he does not wish to keep Baptista.
  
  "Arsenal have told me they are not able to buy me and so all I can do is return to Real Madrid," said Baptista.
  
  Baptista struggled to break into the Arsenal side initially but injuries to key players gave him the chance to become more influential.
  
  He feels he improved as the season progressed and admits he will be sad to leave.
  
  "I have enjoyed my first season with Arsenal and in England.
  
  "I adapted well. I didn't play much at first but finished much better. The first year is very difficult.
  
  "The English league is very strong and very competitive with great teams."
  
  While he was in Spain, Wenger is also believed to have been asked about Cesc Fabregas.
  
  Speculation suggests Real are lining up a huge bid for the young midfielder, in the region of €25million (£17million).
  
  According to reports in Spain, Wenger has agreed to meet with Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic later in the summer to discuss a possible transfer.
• felirox

  25 May 07, 16:01

  good lar.he'd better return to spain. he sucked.
• CKeer

  25 May 07, 16:04

  
  Yea, the faster he leaves, the better.
  
  Cheers.
  CK
• Trump_Card

  25 May 07, 16:07

  Reyes ?
• ben1xy

  25 May 07, 18:57

  Originally posted by Trump_Card:

  Reyes ?

  athelico madrid seems interested.
  
  maybe we can pay another 5 - 8 million and exchange for torres
  
  dreaming again
• Bontakun

  25 May 07, 18:59

  Baptista had it coming when he complained about the weather. Side track abit... Is Ribery going to Arsenal?
• ben1xy

  25 May 07, 19:01

  Originally posted by Bontakun:

  Baptista had it coming when he complained about the weather. Side track abit... Is Ribery going to Arsenal?

  rumours have been circulating for really long. and that is what worries me. AW usually does his transfer in a discreet manner. So it might be that he is not coming afterall
• turbo_drift

  25 May 07, 19:02

  Originally posted by Bontakun:

  Baptista had it coming when he complained about the weather. Side track abit... Is Ribery going to Arsenal?

  Hard to tell whether if AW would sign Ribery.. But i'm sure AW doesn't want Julio..
• Bontakun

  25 May 07, 19:04

  Originally posted by turbo_drift:

  Hard to tell whether if AW would sign Ribery.. But i'm sure AW doesn't want Julio..

  I am sure A&W also cannot do much regarding Reyes. His heart is with Spain. He should change his name to Reno.
• turbo_drift

  25 May 07, 19:05

  Originally posted by Bontakun:

  I am sure A&W also cannot do much regarding Reyes. His heart is with Spain. He should change his name to Reno.