Transcript of Adebayor interview with El Mundo Deportivo

A hastily arranged article appeared on Arsenal.com earlier today with the following quote from Emmanuel Adebayor. He said:

I don’t know why people want to put words in my mouth. As I said on Friday, I love Arsenal and I will be here next season. I am off to Togo tomorrow but will return to Arsenal for pre-season training in July.

It was a reaction to an interview which appeared in El Mundo Deportivo in Spain today. Here are some selected highlights.

El Mundo - Now you are happy at Arsenal, but I don't know if you know that Barcelona have made a bid for you.

To be honest, I only found this out from you. Nobody has spoken with me for now, neither the club or my agent. Maybe things will change tomorrow, I don't know. For the moment I must wait but it's clear that I would be very happy to play for Barcelona because it's one of the biggest clubs in the world. But now the most important thing is to keep working the same way on the pitch.

Nevertheless, you can't close the door on Barcelona.

I can't close the door because I don't know what could happen tomorrow. If Arsenal tell me I have to go then I will go. But for this to happen Barcelona has to make an offer. Meanwhile, I will not worry and I'll enjoy my holidays.

What things attract you to Barcelona?

Many things. If Barcelona made an offer to Arsenal and came to an agreement I would happy go to play there because Barcelona is one of the best clubs in the world. But today I am an Arsenal player. We have to wait for an offer and see what happens.

Would you like to have a reunion with Henry at Barca?

Why not? It would be a pleasure to hook up with him again. I went one to Barcelona to see him. He is one of my best friends, I would love to play with him again, but perhaps as well he might come back to play for Arsenal (smiles).

Would you be happy playing in the Barcelona system?

Of course. They play good football, lots of touches, very offensive. They've had great players like Romario, Figo, Ronaldinho ...there is no player who could say no to Barcelona. I don't know if it will happen now, in two or ten years, but I would really like to play there.

Do you know the city? Would that also attract you?

I came one time after 'Titi' signed. I liked the city. There's always sun, good temperature, the beach. I am African, these things I value a lot.

Do you believe that if Barcelona were to make a final bid for you to Arsenal that they would make it difficult?

If you are good they don't want you to leave. It's normal. It would be something between the two clubs and we would see what happens because Arsenal would ask for a lot of money to see if Barcelona would pay. After they could reach an agreement. Arsenal signed me from Monaco and gave me the opportunity to be in the first team. I am very grateful for that, so if I had to leave I would really like if it were on good terms.

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Source - in Spanish.