Exclusive! Beastly Swap Deal?
11/10/2005 4:30:00 PM
Goal.com Espana has heard that Real Madrid and Arsenal are in talks about a possible swap deal that would see Julio Baptista move to Highbury in June with Ashley Cole heading to the Bernabeu.
Sensational? Certainly. Possible? Why not – it is a deal that would make a lot of sense all round. Remember, Arsene Wenger spent much of last summer pursuing ‘The Beast,’ whom he saw as a natural replacement for Patrick Vieira in the Arsenal midfield, with Baptista offering additional options in attack. The move foundered only on Brazilian Baptista’s desire to obtain Spanish citizenship and thus an EU passport. 
But the nationality issue will be resolved by June, and The Beast will be able to move freely across the continent. 
Meanwhile, England left-back Cole’s relationship with the Gunners – the club with whom he’s been involved since childhood, was soured by the Chelsea “tapping-up” affair. Cole held secret talks with Chelsea officials about a possible move across London while talks over a new improved Arsenal contract had stalled. 
But the talks were exposed by a Sunday newspaper, and as Arsenal had not given their permission, both Chelsea and Cole were in breach of Premier League rules and were punished. Cole still nurses a burning indignation about the whole affair and although he subsequently signed a new contract extension ay Highbury and made the right noises about the past being the past, the feeling persists that his relationship with Arsenal may never again be quite what it was. Throw into the mix Real’s wish to secure long-term strength in depth on the left side of their defence, and you have the makings of a possible deal. 
Nor has Baptista set the world alight since leaving Sevilla for Real. First-team starts have been more restricted for the big Brazilian than they would have been in London, and he has expressed a wish to play in the Premiership at some stage of his career. 
As for Cole, he is currently recovering from a cracked bone in his foot. And as for a possible swap deal, watch this space… 
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