Arsenal have raised supporters' hopes of challenging Manchester United and Chelsea after they turned down a £25 million bid from Barcelona for Emmanuel Adebayor.
Barcelona's club president, Joan Laporta, had hoped to sign the Togo forward ahead of the club's referendum on Sunday when he needs 65 percent of the vote to keep his position.
According to reports, Laporta is now likely to have to make an offer closer to £30 million for Arsenal to consider a deal.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be persuaded to let Adebayor go if the club can negotiate the right price for the striker, with Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz a suitable replacement for Adebayor.
Adebayor, who has three years left on his contract, wants to remain at Arsenal, but is keen to be rewarded for his efforts last season when he netted 30 goals.
According to the Times, Stéphane Courbis, Adebayor's agent, is expected to meet Wenger this week, after the pair held talks in Vienna last week.
"Since the beginning, there has been a love story between Adebayor and Arsenal and his relationship with Wenger is based on trust and respect," Courbis said.
"Emmanuel is a man of heart, not of money. He is not greedy. He is a kid from the street, has sensibilities and is humble.
"If this was a money problem, then he would have asked to leave. I know that Arsenal’s political position is that they don’t pay high salaries."
It will be good for Adbyr and Arsenal to continue and do better than last season. Arsene need to work on him for more shots and boldness in front of the goal. He can be the best striker of his time, the money after the work.
Wah, you say like it is easy to generate a star like V Persie.. You think you playin Football Manager ar?? go buy then sell... then restart the game after lose... Wenger know what to do, no need a your advice...
It is not at all the time for Adebayor to leave because this is just an emerging statuts of his, and we never know how tomorrow will be like. So Adebayor, remain for now at arsenal, your skill and perseverence would set you at higher price next season. But arsen wenger must undertand that the kind of striker is a rare element to be found on today's football market... Arsenal, to ceasar what belongs to Him.
I think Arsen made the right decision afterall no club want to loose their best players
If AdeB is in love with The Arsenal, then perhaps he will give us back the money he was ovepaid for the previous season and a half?
Arsene, take the money and buy Cruz or Dean Ashton as a replacement, if that up sets RV Persie then let him go as well - hes only played a bit part for the past 2 seasons and replace him with Bently or Abonglarhor (apologies to Villa supporters for spelling). With the cash thats left over buy Senna to replace Flamoney and De Silva to replcae Hleb. Then with the cash generated from the sale of Hleb & V Persie bring in M Richards and M Dawson to replace Gallas & Senderos, then give Cesc the skippers armband and vice capt to Kolo, and then its all system go.