Gunners, Barca in bitter bust up over footie wonderkid Toral
February 22nd, 2011 - 11:42 am ICT by ANI
London, Feb.22 (ANI): Arsenal and Barcelona are locked in a bitter bust-up over the former trying to snatch 16-year-old wonderkid Jon Miquel Toral Harper from their academy, just like they did with Gunners skipper Cesc Fabregas.
According to a Sun Sport report, the dispute erupted before both clubs clashed at the Emirates last Wednesday.
Barca president Sandro Rosell is said to have forcibly told Gunners chief executive Ivan Gazidis to back off from bidding or snaring mid-fielder Toral, who has an English mother and is now close to signing a professional contract with the Gunners.
The bitter bust-up is now threatening to overshadow the return leg at the Nou Camp when Arsenal defend a 2-1 lead.
There is no suggestion the Gunners have done anything untoward but the Catalans are up in arms.
Rosell is particularly sensitive about this issue as he was vice-president when the Gunners nabbed Fabregas back in 2003.
Barcelona have been publicly tapping-up Fabregas for several years and last summer he was on the verge of returning to his hometown club in a 31million pound transfer, but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger blocked the move. (ANI)
- Debt ridden Barca loses hope of snaring Fabregas - Nov 18, 2010
- Barcelona stunned over Guardiola's brother helping Arsenal sign wonder kid - Feb 23, 2011
- Arsenal will not allow skipper Fabregas to go: Wenger - Jul 18, 2010
- Torres warns Fabregas over proposed move to Barcelona - Mar 29, 2011
- Allow me to join Barcelona, Fabregas tells Wenger - Jul 18, 2011
- Wenger, Capello were approached to coach Barcelona in 2001: Gaspart - Aug 03, 2010
- Guardiola quits Barca, deputy Tito to take over (Lead) - Apr 27, 2012
- Mourinho to personally convince Fabregas to join Real Madrid - Dec 31, 2010
- Barca gets Wenger hot under the collar by tapping Fabregas - Jul 03, 2009
- Fabregas will join Barcelona, predicts Messi - Feb 20, 2011
- Fans hope that Barca will increase offer for Fabregas - Jun 03, 2010
- Kroenke in fight to keep Cesc - Apr 15, 2011
- Barcelona plans 40-mn pound summer swoop for Fabregas - Feb 03, 2010
- Wenger wins tussle over Fabregas with Barcelona - Jul 18, 2010
- Former Arsenal player asks Fabregas not to repeat his mistake of Braca move - May 25, 2010
Tags: bust, catalans, cesc, chief executive, emirates, english mother, gunners, ivan, london feb, mid fielder, miquel, nou camp, professional contract, return leg, sandro rosell, skipper, sport report, sun sport, verge, wonderkid