Arsenal Offered Barça Youngster Falqué + Video
The agent of Barcelona winger Iago Falqué has offered the services of his client to clubs around the Premiership, after new manager Pep Guardiola refused to offer any assurances over his future.
Falqué, 18, played in the same youth teams as Fran Mérida and is regarded as another extremely exciting youngster to come through the Catalan Academy. However, Iago has become frustrated in recent months with the lack of chances to progress into the first team, despite some blistering form.
His performances for Barca B last season – coached by Guardiola – helped the outfit get promotion, but new boss Luis Enrique has told the left footed play-maker he is free to find new employment.
With Arsenal having already raided Barça for Mérida and Cesc Fabregas, the Gunners would prove a strong pull for the Spain Under 19 International. Celtic had been linked with a potential loan move, but Joan Laporta told the club’s official TV station that they would prefer a permanent deal.
Liverpool and Chelsea are also names been mooted with a swoop, but after Iago rejected The Blues two years ago, they are believed to be reluctant to attempt a second bid.
Spanish newspaper ‘Sport’ claims the players representatives have been in England this week, offering the youngster to the big four sides. Falqué has seemed keen to stay in Spain, but after Barcelona over looked the Spaniard for promotion this summer, he has demanded meetings with hierarchy.
“I still don’t know anything or what is going to happen with my future. I hope that by next week I’ll have some news.”
Iago is a diminutive yet creative left winger, blessed with excellent close control and a magical left foot. You can watch him in action in the short video below.
Click Here To Watch
Article By – J.Sanderson
JS — Your RSS feed is a little screwy. Are you setting the color of the text when you edit it? You should switch to doing it in CSS, I can’t read your site from Google Reader or its mobile side.
moonty said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:37 pm
i’d like to see this happen
Vaibhav Jhunjhunwala said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Try this feed mate.
http://youngguns.wordpress.com/feed
does that work?
J.Sanderson said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:48 pm
He is incredible on Football Manager if thats anything to go by. He was sensational in the U17 tournament and looked just as good as Bojan and Merida- if Arsene thinks he is talented enough we should get him but more kids are the least of our priorities right now.
Steve said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Guardiola knows he well from managing the Barca B team, yet doesnt wanna promote him and he can’t get a game for the B team under Luis Enrique.
Hmmm, wonder why that is?
Spike said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:54 pm
JS — nope, the color of the text is white and the background is white. It looks like the problem is that the post text has been made white inline rather than in a stylesheet.. I have some wp experience, I can help you get that fixed if you like. Drop me an e-mail.
moonty said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Looks like something special!
TH said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Spike said this on August 25, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Because pissing about with the kids is partly what made them a disaster last season. Barca were pissed about Cesc so they decided to rush the likes of Dos Santos and Bojan (who, while being good, both were not yet of a La Liga standard week in week out, sounds familar doesn’t it?) and if you look at the blacklash, especially towards Dos Santos, you can see how the fans want proven talent and don’t give a fuck about developing players. Bojan is different, he is their special one. But if Iniesta was 17 or 18 in last seasons side, he would not have been given the time he was under Rijkaard in Pep’s team. Instant and continued success is what they want and they have the bank balance to buy it beautifully and not the patience to wait for the likes of Iago.
I’ve never heard a bad word said about this kid. For years people questioned Dos Santos although we can all admit on his day he is an excellent footballer (or will be in 2 years time when he escapes). If his opportunities are limited by the likes of Hleb, Messi, Gudjonsion etc. then I’d gladly take him. It shouldn’t distract from the bleeding obvious need for players to directly effect the first XI though (although Iago v. Theo/Eboue?).
Samuel said this on August 25, 2008 at 5:07 pm
his this guy an out and out winger who can drfit inside and play as a playmaker.
john said this on August 25, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Samuel;
If he was any good, he’d be given a chance at Barca, not told to find a new club.
You think barca would sell a quality player.
Dos Santos was sold coz he aint lived up to the hype and likes living it up too much, allegedly.
I’m sorry, but I’m sick of us being linked with kids who may or may not make the grade in 2,3 or 4 years.
Don’t you know Arsenal are doomed?
Spike said this on August 25, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I dont think iago falque can handle the premiership he will be like reyes he will get kicked and he wont be able to handle the physical side not many wingers do which is why they are always injured. Ie robben, reyes, van persie, vicente, joaquin
john said this on August 25, 2008 at 5:29 pm
he looks too greedy and totally one footed..looks quite predictable…wenger cud do something wiv him tho…maybe
ash said this on August 25, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I believe the clips are a year or so old so he is has grown abit more, but baulking somebody up has been something Wenger is good at.
van Persie was a fragile when he arrived, he now looks really strong, same with Gael Clichy.
So i don’t see that being an issue.
J.Sanderson said this on August 25, 2008 at 6:00 pm
We tried to sign him at the same time as Fran Merida but his parents wanted him to stay at Barca.The boy is a talent and with Cesc and Fran at Arsenal we wouldn’t have a problem in persuading him to sign.
Sean said this on August 25, 2008 at 6:08 pm
BREAKING NEWS TRAORE STARTS , LEFT WING FOR POMPEY
Frank Butcher said this on August 25, 2008 at 6:31 pm
well, injury wise van Persie is still reaaaaally fragile
BooMeR said this on August 25, 2008 at 6:34 pm
I can uinderstand why Josep Guardiola has not picked him because Barcelona have Gui Assulin who is younger and much better prospect than Iago Falque IMO
Kent paul said this on August 25, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Doomed, because we actually have a future?
PeteE said this on August 25, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Looks like a quality little player. To be honest, look at the teams who pay for already known big players – Real Madrid with the Galacticos and Chelsea and every old player around – do you really want Arsenal to turn out to be like these two teams? Personally, I don’t think Arsenal are about that and I’m glad they aren’t. Wenger will get this kid, and then sell him for £30m in 6-7 years, at least we get our money’s worth and make a profit in years to come.
We are a business chaps, and Wenger is great at making the business work. Leeds United ring a bell?
http://www.arsenal-opinion.com
scottpuffin said this on August 25, 2008 at 6:55 pm
he has potential, cud turn out like fabregas into something special
danygooner said this on August 25, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Samuel;
If he was any good, he’d be given a chance at Barca, not told to find a new club.
You think barca would sell a quality player.
—
Would this be the same Barcelona that gave up on Maradona? No? What about the same Barcelona that sold Fabregas? No? What about the team that had TWO TIME World Footballer Of The Year Ronaldinho who was struggling with his personal life and attitude, and decided that instead of helping him with it, they’d outcast him so he could just fall further and further from grace while the club stuck their fingers in their eyes and shouted ‘nanana i can’t hear you’? Is it any of those Barcelonas?
Samuel said this on August 25, 2008 at 7:52 pm
JS, i find it very interesting that you choose to publish a story like this, which leads me to believe that we ( the royal Arsenal we) are closer to signing him than most people think (except you).
Watch watching some of the youngest over the last season (on Arsenal TV) I think an out and out winger would be a good thing for the reserves and the first team towards the end of season. Or we could sell him after a couple of cup appearences and made 8 million
Gooner in exile said this on August 25, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Iago Falque is mainly a target of Manchester United and Juventus Turin. This source saying that both have the best chances to land the catalan prospect.
Arsenal is not named!
http://www.ligafutbol.net/2008/08/23/iago-falque/
BerlinGunner said this on August 25, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Man Utd and Juve aren’t mentioned here!So your point is……
http://www.soccernews.com/arsenal-and-newcastle-chasing-another-barca-wonder-kid/5967/
Sean said this on August 25, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Hey, why Pep Guardiola doesn’t rate him highly if he has played very well in the Youth Team of Pep? And why Luis Enrique want to let him go so easily? I can’t believe he’s an incredible talent if he’s treated that way. Look at Nojan, look at Jeffren, they are the real prospects of Barca, this guy isn’t considered like that, I don’t think he can do something at Arsenal while even Merida doesn’t have his opportunities yet.
A said this on August 26, 2008 at 12:21 am
Anyway, if we could get him, I won’t complain…
A said this on August 26, 2008 at 12:22 am
Lago looks good. With Nasri on the right and Lago on the left, and Cesc in the middle we will have good midfield.
iamsati said this on August 26, 2008 at 1:35 am
nooo forget him
can we buy david silva please…hes only 21
and much better
phader said this on August 26, 2008 at 9:24 am
It is always pleasing to be linked to all these ’starlets’, but we need experience now. I love this blog, but i can’t think of any future until the present is sorted out.
A M said this on August 26, 2008 at 11:23 am
Looks like Overmars and we havent got that many wide players at reserves level, so definatly worth a shot. Looks like he can easily make it if u ask me.
Johnny Maverik said this on August 26, 2008 at 1:57 pm
silva said ha isn’t going to england that ship has sailed
Johnny said this on August 26, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Looks like we’ve missed out on him..
http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=840157
Nirgoon said this on August 29, 2008 at 5:24 pm