Reyes still keen on Real deal if Gunners agree to let him go
The 21-year-old yesterday told Spanish sports newspaper Marca: “of course, it would be an honour if Real Madrid were interested in me. Anyone would want to play for a club as big as that - but for that to happen the directors must speak. They are the people who must agree. Madrid have to speak to Arsenal.”
It is not the first time Reyes has been linked with Madrid. Earlier this year, the youngster was tricked by a radio presenter into saying he would like to move to the Spanish giants.
Reyes joined the Gunners from Seville in 2003 but has previously spoken of being homesick.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, meanwhile, is adamant he wants Ashley Cole to remain at Highbury and become a Gunners great.
For the moment, the England full-back remains at the centre of controversy and one of the key figures in a Premier League inquiry.
Cole is reported to have infuriated the Gunners by meeting Chelsea officials at a London hotel with the prospect of moving across town. Wenger believes that meeting took place but remains determined to hang on to his man. “My desire is that Ashley Cole stays at the club, signs a new deal and one day becomes captain of the club,” he said.
“I want him to stay and become one of the great players at this club.”
Wenger is incensed with Chelsea and accused them of “tapping up” the player. “I am convinced that a meeting did take place - although that has not been confirmed,” he said.
“But I have to let the Premier League make an inquiry and make the right decision.
“The timing of that meeting was at least not very welcome. I want the Premier League to judge the case and be fair. It is down to them to take action. You cannot say it is normal that two days before we play Manchester United your players are tapped up. It is strange to me, because it is just before big games.”
Cole was on the bench at the Reebok Stadium against Bolton in the Cup game, but Wenger insisted the defender’s demotion had nothing to do with the inquiry.
“It was for medical reasons - he had hamstring problems,” said the Gunners boss.
“The fact that I didn’t play him had nothing to do with the stories on the back pages.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd appears to have ruled out the prospect of Craig Bellamy ever playing for the club again. Bellamy was booted out by boss Graeme Souness in January after a row over where the Welshman played culminated in the striker publicly branding his manager a “liar.”
Bellamy joined Celtic on loan during the transfer window but is believed to still harbour hopes of a return to St James’ Park. However, Shepherd intimated yesterday that even an apology on Bellamy’s behalf would not be enough to give him another chance under Souness.
Shepherd said: “He is a good player, there is no doubt about that. But I think when you call your manager a liar on television that speaks for itself. I think it would be very difficult for him.”
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