Gaël Clichy on verge of Arsenal exit

Clichy could be set to move to Liverpool this summer (photo from Ronnie Macdonald on Flickr)

I don’t know what it is that Arsène Wenger is doing wrong, but a number of players seem to want to jump ship this summer. First, Bendtner and Denilson handed in transfer requests (both of whom can leave as far as I am concerned). Then there is Fabregas – the ongoing saga about his dream move to Barcelona. I am increasingly inclined to think that he won’t be leaving, but there is still plenty of time left in this transfer window. However, my biggest concern is the two players who are refusing to sign contract extensions as they look to force moves away from the club.

Everybody has been so focused on Samir Nasri over the past week that they have almost forgotten that we are in a similar position with Gaël Clichy. Maybe it’s because Clichy has handled the media attention a bit better and hasn’t come out with provocative and suggestive comments? Maybe it’s because he hasn’t hit the same form as Nasri over the past season? Whatever the reason, the fact remains that we are about to lose the services of one of our most consistent players – somebody who I feel it would be difficult to replace. Then again, he hasn’t been able to hit the form that he managed 2/3 seasons ago, and occasionally he is a liability, in terms of his errors and inability to mark from set pieces.

All the major newspapers are reporting that Clichy is on the verge of completing a £5 million move to Liverpool. £5 million for a player of Clichy’s talent seems a bit of a joke, but players in the final year of their contract have a habit of moving on at a fraction of the price. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Roma are all thought to have expressed interest in the French international, but it would seem that Liverpool are looking to place the first official bid.

Clichy has made 264 appearances for the club since he joined in 2003/04 – he is the club’s longest serving current player (although Cesc Fabregas has made more appearances). The reports suggest that, like Nasri, Clichy has failed to reach an agreement with Arsenal over his wages and it would seem that Livepool are willing to give him considerably more than his current £55,000 a week deal.