Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song admitted he “didn’t give a f***” about leaving to sit on Barcelona’s bench if it meant securing his financial future.
Song, who turns 37 today (September 9), first joined the Gunners back in 2005 as a young 17-year-old on loan, with the move made permanent the following year. He went on to cement his place in Arsene Wenger’s squad, racking up 205 appearances in all competitions.
His solid performances as a defensive midfielder made him a key player on the red side of north London. However, when Barcelona came calling in 2012 with a £15million bid, Song was well aware that he’d be far from the first name on the team sheet.
The ex-Cameroon international would join a team with an already legendary midfield trio of Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi, meaning his role would likely be limited to substitute appearances and cup games. But the allure of a significant wage increase from £55,000-a-week to £70k was too tempting to resist.
