France Under-21 international midfielder Matthieu Flamini has been branded a traitor after reportedly agreeing to leave Olympique Marseille for English champions Arsenal.
The 20-year-old, whose 14 league matches for Marseille culminated in a starting place in last season’s Uefa Cup final against Valencia, was reported by French sports daily L’Equipe to have signed a four-year deal with Arsenal, a claim apparently backed up by the furious reaction of Marseille’s coach.
”He’s a traitor,” said Jose Anigo. ”He cheated me. He didn’t sign for us only because of the money. His argument that he wanted a first-team slot doesn’t hold up, unless of course he plans to keep [Patrick] Vieira out of the Arsenal team.”
Arsenal denied that Flamini had already signed for the club but a spokesperson would not be drawn on whether the player had agreed verbally to join compatriots Vieira, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires at Highbury.
”The club does not comment on speculation,” she said. ”As and when a player joins the club we make an announcement accordingly and we have not made any announcement.”
If the Flamini deal does go through, there will be no transfer fee as he had yet to sign a professional contract with Marseille.
Arsenal will only have to pay Marseille compensation for developing the player.
The move helps Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger strengthen his midfield in case Patrick Vieira is lured to Real Madrid. — Sapa-AFP