Fair Exchange

Arsenal have a reputation for looking after their players sympathetically whatever the circumstances and happily they seem to have found a solution to what must have been the worst case of home sickness in the club’s history. Now Jose Antonio Reyes can wake up on 1st September with what he must regard as the best birthday present ever – his dream move to the Bernabeu, courtesy of a season long loan to Real Madrid.

And moving in the opposite direction is the 24 year old Brazilian Julio Baptista, who ironically as a Sevilla player (Reyes former club) had chosen Real over Arsenal a year ago, without ever managing to give the impression that he was glad about it.

Real Madrid know perfectly well that they would not have secured Reyes without Baptista moving to the Emirates Stadium and Arsene Wenger has the satisfaction of acquiring at the second attempt a versatile player who can operate either in midfield or up front.

And if all goes well, both clubs have the option to make the moves permanent.