Arteta to quit Gers

[Fins Prompte]

Rangers midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed he will be quitting Rangers to return to Spain in the summer.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain star feels that plying his trade in The SPL is preventing him from fulfilling his international ambitions, and is adamant he will head back to his homeland at the end of the current season.

"I will return to Spain next season," he told El Pais.

"It's not that playing in Scotland distances me from the Spain side, it closes the door completely.

"It hurt when I was in the Under-21s and I envied my companions when they talked about playing for Madrid or Barcelona.

"You have to be in the routine of La Liga to be compared with your peers.

"Inaki Saez has already asked when I would be returning to Spain, because the group of players he is thinking about has to be in the dynamic of Spanish football."

Arteta, who turns 22 this week, was on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid last summer but saw the move fall through after a transfer fee could not be agreed.

Atletico are still believed to be monitoring the gifted playmaker, while Real Zaragoza were also linked with him earlier in the campaign.

Although Arteta remains unsure of his next destination, he did concede that a switch back to Camp Nou would be his dream move.

"I have been a 'cule' (Barca fan) since I was little and I suffered so much watching them that my dad used to send me to bed because I got so nervous watching their games," he continued.

"Everything shows that for me to improve Spain is the perfect place, but Rangers have to decide the price.

"I was very close to Atletico Madrid last year, but when a club wants you they get on the plane and come to get you."

[Ross]

yeah, this rumour has been circling for a while, that he wants out

I say let him go, we will make money on him, he's a talented player, but i don't think he has the physical presence to be good in the SPL, and something about, He can't play for Spain if he's in scotland

[coobek]

He is a great player, I seen him play against MU in CL this season. I didn't know he is just 22. I'm not very surprised he wants to go to Spain if he has International ambitions. I think every club except Real and Valencia (Zizou and Aimar) would benefit from such a midfilder.

[Weebully]

I like the way he says he's going. As far as I'm aware, when a player is under contract, his club has some say in the matter. But as Ross says, if he wants to go, then let him go. I slightly disagree that he's not strong enough to play in Scotland, the problem this season is that he's not been allowed to be the playmaker as we've had inadequate players alongside him. Alongside somebody like Barry Ferguson who could shoulder a lot of the ball winning duties, he showed his class week in week out. Had Gavin Rae been fit, he could have done the donkey work for him and allowed him to do what he does best. But playing with the likes of Emerson, Ronald de Boer and even Stephen Hughes (too similar a type to him) we've lacked the muscle or effort in midfield and he's had to play a role that doesn't suit.
Not sure he'll make an international, there are better players in front, and he didn't end up here for nothing. But if we can get £5 or 6m we can use it to bring in 2 or 3 players, so it will do us good.

[Ross420]

He is a great player but hes been playing poorly, basically because he wants to go.

The sooner we get a deal done to take him home the better for club & player.

[mood]

He's a good player. A player with his ability deserves to play in a big league.

[Fins Prompte]

oh my, why the flyers????????????????? come on ross.

[Ross420]

oh my, why the flyers????????????????? come on ross.

I like a bit of violence with my Hockey :devil