Mino Raiola is one more interview away from appearing on the next ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, as the man behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba’s respective moves to Manchester United clings to the limelight, like a fly to shit.
Anyone who is anyone – and anyone who isn’t anyone – seems to be in the Italian’s little black book (Raiola fits the stereotype for an extra in Godfather). It’s a mutually beneficial relationship – if not one devoid of morals – with both parties looking at one another as the golden ticket.
And the latest talent to be sky rocketed into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory, is an unknown talent at Arsenal.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Raiola said:
“Gianluigi Donnarumma is in the national team at 17 so he will continue to get better with Italy and AC Milan, Moise Kean is doing well at Juventus but the one who I am excited about is already with a Premier League club and that is Donyell Malen at Arsenal.”
Mino Raiola
Raiola’s footballing opinion means about as much as Donald Trump’s on politics, and just smacks of the super-agent creating hyperbole around his clients.
You wait, next month it will be Raiola telling us that Malen has an unreal release fee clause, and it will be almost impossible for anyone to obtain the signature of the Arsenal man.
Well played, Mino; now everyone from Real Madrid to Newport County will be wanting to try and get the Holland Under-17 international.
Everything is a game, everything is calculated from Raiola – rumours that Manchester United were told by Raiola they had to buy Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund if they wanted to bag Juventus’ Paul Pogba, have remained – and grown – due to the Armenian international’s bit-part start to life at Old Trafford – players are just stocks and shares in Raiola’s Monopoly game – only this time, the money is actually worth something.
Agree with our Arsenal’s underrated XI during the Arsene Wenger era?
GK – Jens Lehmann
An Arsenal 'Invincible', so the German shot-stopper is obviously rated. However, the former Borussia Dortmund 'keeper never seems to enter the discussions when Gunners discuss their best ever goalie because of David Seaman. Source: Standard
RB – Lauren
Classic Wenger move in reinvigorating the Cameroon international from a right-midfielder to a right-back. There always seems to be one underrated full-back in the pairing, and Lauren was that one; Ashley Cole took the plaudits. Source: WP
CB – Kolo Toure
The Ivory Coast centre-back is something of a laughing stock, nowadays. And that has sadly allowed people to forget just how imperious he was during his Arsenal days. Source: Goal
CB – Steve Bould
People often mistake Martin Keown as the man to partner Tony Adams. However, Keown was regularly playing second fiddle during his Arsenal career, and that included to Bould, at one point. Source: talkSPORT
LB – Silvinho
Had a rocket or two in his locker. An underwhelming spell back in England with Manchester City undid some of the rep the former Barcelona man had built up during his time at Highbury. Source: Twitter
RM – Ray Parlour
Parlour deserves a lot of credit for embracing the ways of Arsene Wenger when he revolutionised the club. The Romford Pele was very much an old-school footballer, and could've said 'stuff this'. Instead, the FA Cup Final goalscorer became an undervalued member of Wenger's early successful Arsenal period. Source: Champions Speakers
CM – Gilberto Silva
Arsenal never replaced, Patrick Vieira, they say. But they did, with Gilberto Silva. And that's who they never replaced - until Granit Xhaka, this summer. Source: The Hard Tackle
CM – Edu
Mikel Arteta before Mikel Arteta. Shrewd, important and worthwhile addition that will forever be unrecognised. Source: Twitter
LM – Marc Overmars
Wasn't around long enough to be classed an Arsenal legend, but the Dutchman certainly could've. Loved scoring big and important goals in the blockbuster fixtures. Source: Blog Media
ST – Nwankwo Kanu
The Nigerian had a respectable career with several Premier League clubs. But it took him to leave Arsenal to earn the credit he deserved - hard to when Bergkamp and Henry are ahead you! Source: Static Pulse
ST – Sylvain Wiltord
What might've been for the Frenchman had he not been at Arsenal the same time as Thierry Henry. The definition of a clinical poacher, and forever an Arsenal hero for...WILTORDDDDDDD! Source: CFStatic
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