Football News
Agent: Arsenal not interested in Barnetta
Reports linking Bayer Leverkusen and Swiss international Tranquillo Barnetta with Arsenal have been rubbished by the player's agent Franco Moretti. The highly-rated 24-year-old winger had been linked with a move to the Emirates by the Daily Mirror, however Sport.co.uk can confirm that the rumours linking Arsene Wenger with a move for Barnetta are unfounded.
The player's agent Franco Moretti told Sport.co.uk:
“Nothing. There is absolutely nothing in the links with Arsenal. We have extended Tranquillo's contract with Bayer Leverkusen only two weeks ago, and to be honest I have never spoken with Arsenal in the last two years about any of my players.
“At the moment Tranquillo is a player with great potential and it is up to a club to pick up the phone and talk to us if they want him. I can't see anything in the rumours as he signed a new contract two weeks ago. Normally, if Arsenal want a player they find a solution with the club, in this case Leverkusen, not with the agent.
“Arsene Wenger has never contacted us regarding Tranquillo. Which is strange as everyone calls me asking about Arsenal and Tranquillo. I don't know where this is coming from. Look, I know people at Arsenal and when we talk they never speak about Barnetta, only youth players.”
The Daily Star had also linked Barnetta with a move to the Emirates, despite the player having signed a new contract at the Bundesliga club. A report from an insider at the German club revealed that despite a new contract being signed by the Swiss international, Barnetta still had his heart set on playing football in the English Premier League.
"It's true Tranquillo signed a new contract but that is negotiable if a big club comes in for him. Premier League clubs are interested in him and that's an exciting prospect. Tranquillo would love to play for a top club in England," stated the unnamed source.
Barnetta could cost up to £14 million, while other interested parties could include Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, who have been linked with the rising star in the last year. Barnetta has played 41 times for Switzerland scoring six goals.