Arsenal turn down Atletico Eboue approach
Emmanuel Eboue staying with the Gunners
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Thursday, 22, Jan 2009 10:37
Arsenal have turned down an approach from Spanish side Atletico Madrid to sign under-pressure defender Emmanuel Eboue.
Eboue has had a difficult time at Arsenal over the last few months. The 25-year-old has failed to hold down a first-team place with the Gunners and suffered the humiliation of being booed by his own fans in the home game against Wigan last month.
However, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stood by Eboue and insisted the Cameroon international still has a future at the club and the decision to turn down Atletico will come as a vote of confidence to Eboue.
"We received an official request from Atletico Madrid which was passed to Arsenal," said Eboue's agent Franjo Vranjkovic. "I have the fax from director Ken Friar who wrote to me to say they are not interested in the offer.
"Then I received a call from Arsene Wenger, who invited me to go to England to start negotiations over a renewal. I see no possibility that the player will leave Arsenal."
Eboue signed for the Gunners in the summer of 2005 and quickly established himself as a first-team regular. The highlight of his time at the club came when he played a major role in helping Arsenal to the final of the Champions League in 2006.