FUMING GUARDIOLA
City manager left stunned after missing out on Alves to PSG
DANI Alves turned his back on Manchester City after agreeing a stunning £12 million (RM66 million)-a-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain.
Pep Guardiola was seething at the Brazilian’s decision to snub City after terms had been thrashed out on a two-year deal.
He is set to be unveiled as a PSG player late yesterday after finalising a contract worth £230,000 a week in the French capital.
City had already made plans for Alves to be involved in their tour to the USA and expected him to join their squad this week.
Alves is a free agent after leaving Italian champions Juventus, whom he helped get to last season’s Champions League final.
The 34-year-old was allowed time to finish his holiday, such was Guardiola’s confidence that he would become a City player. City were unaware of PSG’s interest until reports surfaced in France last weekend.
They hope for better news soon, however, as they close in on the £40 million left back Benjamin Mendy from Monaco.
They also believe a deal can be struck with Tottenham over Kyle Walker — City’s first choice at right back — although Daniel Levy values the England international at £50 million.
Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud has sensationally admitted that he could be set to quit Arsenal.
The French striker’s future at the Emirates has been put under the spotlight following the clubrecord arrival of £53 million compatriot Alexandre Lacazette.
And, speaking on the club’s preseason tour in Sydney, a frank Giroud, who has interest from Everton, AC Milan, West Ham and Marseille, even referred to his Arsenal career in the past tense.
“It (leaving) is an option to be honest with you,” he said. “I’m here in pre-season, I wanted to travel. Some people asked me if I am going to travel or not and of course, I am Arsenal player and for the moment I am here so I just want to prepare well for the season and we will see later.
“It is true that I really enjoyed my five years with Arsenal,” Giroud said. “I’m still an Arsenal player for the moment so I try to be professional. No matter what happens, I did my job on the pitch.
“It’s been five years that I’ve been here. It could be my sixth one. I had an amazing welcome from the fans and from the club and it has been five amazing years for me.
“I won’t forget it, no matter what happens. We will see about my future but I am still an Arsenal player for the moment.”
Giroud signed a new three-year deal in January and, following the Gunners’ arrival Down Under on Tuesday Arsene Wenger suggested his player would not be leaving.