Who knows what is being said in the picture above between Arsenal stars Sol Campbell and Thierry Henry? Maybe they were discussing the state of the pitch, the weather or the amount of money the club were risking on building Ashburton Grove? Despite Henry’s protestations that his future lies at Arsenal, a step back in time lets us see how events panned out when another top Premiership star played a similar game of whispers, denials and the waiting game when his contract was running down and the ramifications it had on the English game and the two clubs eventually involved.
For those with bad memories… (thanks to Noodles)
The Sol Campbell Saga
04/07/1999 Roma official commenting after his club were linked with the England international: “We couldn’t sign Campbell, not because of a question of money, but because Tottenham don’t want to sell him.”
23/08/1999 Spurs responding to speculation linking Campbell with ?21m moves to Spanish and Italian clubs, aswell as Manchester United: “We are not interested in selling Sol Campbell and in any case Manchester United don’t have enough money to buy him.”
27/09/1999 Spurs’ Director of Football, David Pleat responding to rumours of Sol moving to Lazio and Juventus in ?11m moves: “I can confirm that Lazio have not made any bid for Sol Campbell and we have had no contact from Juventus either.”
08/10/1999 David Pleat rejecting speculation linking Campbell with a ?21m move to Manchester United: “We refuse to discuss any private phone discussions about players publicly as this is a betrayal of confidence. It has been assumed that Manchester United have asked about Sol Campbell in the past and we can confirm this. Sol Campbell has made it quite clear that he does not wish to enter into contract talks until the end of the season and wants to concentrate on his football. We understand that.”
10/10/1999 United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson: “Contrary to what anyone has been saying, we have not been in touch with Spurs to try and buy him this season. Yes, we did make an enquiry for him during the summer but nothing came of it. Nothing has happened since then.”
17/10/1999 Former Spurs manager, George Graham talking about the Sol Campbell situation: “I want him to commit himself but Sol needs to make the decision or we will have to make the decision for him. We’ve looked at the situation with Sol just as Alex Ferguson must have done with Roy Keane, and it won’t be long before we make up our minds.”
19/10/1999 David Pleat rejects papertalk linking the defender to Real Madrid with a ?15m transfer: “We have not heard from Real Madrid and we have also not been to a match involving Real Betis this season.”
26/12/1999 Former Spurs manager, George Graham : “No matter what’s been written, Sol Campbell’s position has not changed because of one bad defeat at Newcastle. I want him to stay, but the matter is in the hands of the chairman, Alan Sugar, and David Pleat. But Sol has insisted all along that he will not discuss his future until the summer and I have to respect that.”
20/03/2000 A Tottenham Hotspur official responding to speculation that Campbell was to join Manchester United: “No agreements have been made with Manchester United with respect to Sol Campbell. Once again we repeat that we will do everything possible to keep Sol Campbell at the club. We are not interested in any offers, from any clubs at any price. We expect to negotiate a new contract at the end of the season.”
22/03/2000 Spurs’ David Pleat denying rumours linking Ugo Ehiogu with a move to White Hart Lane: “Manager George Graham is aware of the need to search for quality central defenders should Sol Campbell not commit himself to the Club next season.”
19/04/2000 Tottenham’s Director of Football, David Pleat: “Manchester United have expressed an interest in the last year. We will do everything in our power to try to get him to extend his contract beyond the end of next season. Sol always previously discussed and signed extensions in the summer months and it is not going to be any different this summer.”
22/04/2000 Spurs’ Director of Football, David Pleat: “Sol Campbell stays whatever, until the end of next season.”
08/05/2000 Spurs’ Director of Football, David Pleat: “Sol has said that he won’t be going anywhere this summer, I am fed up of people asking me about Sol. Sol has stated quite clearly that he will only talk about contracts in the summer. The sun is now shining, it is summer, and we are talking with Sol literally now.”
13/05/2000 The then, Spurs chairman, Sir Alan Sugar: “Everybody will understand and accept we can break away from our pay structure in special cases like Campbell. Money should not be an issue as far as Tottenham is concerned. We will do everything in our power to keep him. As far as we are concerned he will be a Tottenham player next year unless he himself says he does not want to be.”
04/08/2000 Sol Campbell: “My heart and soul is here and I want to play for Spurs. I am going nowhere - for now.”
11/08/2000 Former Spurs manager, George Graham : “Sol is going down the Bosman route. I think Sol is going to wait and see out his contract whatever happens and no matter who we buy. He can do that under the Bosman rule. I don’t mind that. That is his decision.”
28/08/2000 David Pleat commenting on speculation linking Campbell with a ?9m move to Old Trafford: “These stories are just speculative and there has been no communication on this matter from Manchester United.”
24/09/2000 Chelsea manager, Claudio Ranieri: “Campbell is one of the best central defenders in Europe. He is strong, skilful and has a good brain. I think most coaches would like him, especially for nothing!”
28/10/2000 George Graham talking about Sol Campbell’s contractual situation: “Sol will not sit down and speak to the club, the financial people, Alan Sugar, David Pleat, anybody. He doesn’t want to sit down and talk, never mind make demands. We want to offer him one of the best contracts in the country, but what can you do? I don’t worry about things I can’t influence and I can’t influence Sol, so I’ve just got to get on with it. Obviously I’ve made plans, we’re looking for players to replace him. If you don’t you are not doing your job properly - but it is very sad.”
20/11/2000 Again, George Graham commenting on the defender’s contract situation: “We know that even if we accepted a transfer fee for him, Sol would not go. It’s important that the fans know that. It’s all very well people saying that we could have sold him for ?15million, but that will never happen if the player himself doesn’t want to move until his contract ends. It is time people realise that you cannot sell a player without the player’s permission. Sol’s plan is to see his contract out. I can understand that, but what I can’t understand is him not sitting down and listening to our financial offer, even if he turns it down. He says he is Tottenham through and through but I think he should show a bit of curtesy by at least sitting down and talking about a new contract at White Hart Lane.”
03/12/2000 Sol talking about his situation: “I can assure everyone that I won’t be signing for another club while I am still a Spurs player. There have been numerous times when I could have just walked away and said ‘I’ve had enough, I’m leaving.’ I haven’t done that because I want to be here. It annoys me that people question my loyalty to the club. Is eight years of your career not loyalty? How many players have stayed that long at a club? My position has not changed from day one. I always said that, when the time is right, I will talk to the club about my situation. I have always maintained a good relationship with the fans. I have always spoken from the heart when it comes to Tottenham and they respect that. That in itself shows how much I think about the club. It’s not the attitude of a player who couldn’t care less, who throws in the towel at the first opportunity. I still believe Tottenham can be a very successful club, that we can move forward and challenge the top teams for honours. I’m as ambitious as the next player. I want to win the Premiership and I want success in Europe but, most of all, I want to believe I can achieve that here.”
17/12/2000 Campbell responding to speculation linking him with a move to Spurs’ arch rivals Arsenal: “Being a Spurs fan as a boy and a player for so many years, it would be hard to sign for Arsenal. I don’t think the fans here would ever forgive me.”
01/01/2001 Sol Campbell: “I want to play for Tottenham, that’s it really. I am going nowhere. I’ve been here for so long and for me to do well at this club means everything. When you look at Tottenham, the talent is unbelievable, the stadium’s lovely and all the ingredients are there.”
05/01/2001 The defender talking after making his contract demands: “The ball?s in their court now. I?ve laid my cards down and it?s their move now. It means so much for me to do well for Tottenham than go somewhere else. I?m happy here and willing to do business now. For me I love the game of football and I?ll keep on playing football for Tottenham, but there?s a lot of things that have to be sorted out off the field. The main thing is to get the club in good order and moving in the right direction and whatever happens after that, happens after that. I?m not selfish, I?m looking at the current situation and I want the club to do well.”
16/01/2001 Campbell’s former Spurs team-mate, Steffen Freund: “I think that he will move. That is my feeling. I hope for the supporters, the club and the team that he stays and plays for Tottenham over the next few years but I am honest and I think he will change. If he stays here it is a dream for me and the club but if he moves I can understand that. He is a world-class player and if he changes to a bigger club we have to accept it.”
18/01/2001 George Graham talking about the contracts situation at White Hart Lane: “I’ve already said I want Sol, Darren (Anderton) and Les (Ferdinand) to stay. I just wish Sol, especially, would commit himself one way or the other and bring us a bit of much-needed stability. I’ve spoken to him but I’ve still got no idea what he’ll do and I can’t influence him.”
18/01/2001 Bayern Munich managing director, Uli Hoeness, responding to speculation linking the German club with the defender: “I have to say that we have made no contact with him, but he is certainly an outstanding player.”
01/03/2001 Bayern vice-president, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commenting on Bayern’s interest in Campbell: “We’re hoping that it will happen, but with a player of his class you’re never alone.” & Sol Campbell: “It’s news to me. I’ve had no approach from Bayern and I don’t know anything about the rumours.”
04/03/2001 Celtic manager, Martin O’Neill commenting on his interest in the England international: “We might not be every player’s cup of tea. You have to consider what a player might want for himself. Someone like Sol Campbell will have choices not only of a number of clubs, but a number of leagues across Europe. But that is what we must be aspiring to. The fact that they might say ‘Its not for me at this particular time’ wouldn’t prevent me asking about the likes of that standard of player. I’m not afraid of getting knockbacks. I’ve had plenty of them in my time. I’m looking to get a few players in for next year, and because I’m only going to have a month to do it, I already have a list of out-of-contract players.”
11/03/2001 Campbell giving his opinion on his situation: “If it was just about money I could have left some time ago. There have been numerous occasions when I could have just walked away if all I wanted to do was take the first big pay cheque. Salaries are secondary. I’m all too aware I have to pay bills like everyone else, but it’s the ambition of Spurs and where we are going that concerns me. I have the right to keep my options open. Nobody can blame me for wanting success and above all wanting it at Tottenham. But talk is cheap. A reputation by name is one thing, trophies in a cabinet are another.”
13/03/2001 Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger: “I believe that if Sol Campbell is available and free, he would interest the 20 clubs in the Premier League - I hope minus Tottenham. He’s a great player but so far he has come out himself and said he will stay at Tottenham. What can I do? I don’t know whether what we can offer will make a difference.That’s up to Sol to decide. He has said he will try to find an agreement with Tottenham, and we will respect that. It’s difficult to say how interested we’d be if he didn’t reach that agreement.”
26/03/2001 Sol Campbell: “Over the next week or two I’ll be meeting with the new owners (of Tottenham) and there will be discussions about different situations at Tottenham Hotspur. They want to be successful so we’ve got to talk and see where we want to go as a club. These things take time. You can’t rush them. I’ve had a couple of talks already and things so far have been positive. I’m not looking to move if they convince me about the future. Whether or not a new manager is in place is not a big thing for me. As long as the club is healthy and things are in place, then myself and other players will want to join Tottenham or continue with them. I want to stay at Tottenham.”
28/03/2001 Les Ferdinand reacting to rumours linking him with a Bosman move to Celtic: “It’s news to me. I certainly haven’t heard anything from Celtic. In any case, why would I want to go - I love it here. I want to finish my career at Spurs. But I’m 34 now and I have to get a deal that’s right for me. It’s not just the Sol Campbells of this world who want to find out about the club’s ambition, I do too. It would be nice to know that this club still wants to go for the best players.”
01/04/2001 Sol Campbell: “I’m tired of being second. I want to win things with club and country. The situation is not just about me. As a club we have to move forward. And I’m sure Glenn Hoddle is not coming here to be second best. Glenn Hoddle coming here is a positive move. It’s what the fans want and the owners have gone out and got him. It seems they want to do the best thing for Tottenham. But we have to win things and move on. There is still a lot of sorting out to be done, but I am sure it will be resolved. There are other things I have to think about that I can’t go into. But I think Glenn is a great organiser and manager. He has done wonders at Southampton and they play some decent football.”
08/04/2001 Former West Ham manager, Harry Redknapp talking about his attempts to sign Campbell: “I spoke to Sol’s advisors very recently but they haven’t got back to me. I would be very keen to get the boy as I’ve always said that this club has to make a couple of major signings in the summer.”
13/04/2001 Sol Campbell: “I will leave it (the contract) as late as possible - but I am happy at the moment and that’s the main thing. We have got to have a few more meetings to talk about the situation. Maybe it will be before the last game of the season but who knows. There are a few more meetings planned. We are all going to sit down to talk.”
19/04/2001 Leeds United chairman, Peter Ridsdale reacting to speculation linking Campbell with a move to Elland Road: “We have made no transfer plans for the close season apart from the Robbie Keane deal with Inter Milan, which should be considered as done. First we have to wait until we see what competition we are in in Europe before David and I sit down and discuss what we want to do as far as our squad is concerned.”
22/04/2001 Former West Ham United manager, Harry Redknapp: “I spoke to Campbell’s agent and said I’d give Sol ?60,000 a week for four years, but he said, ‘No, Harry, he’s gonna get that anyway’. I have a feeling he’ll go to Arsenal.”
25/04/2001 Campbell’s agent, Sky Andrew: “Sol first has to get himself fit, he won’t be playing for Tottenham again this season, but hopes to be able to play for England in the summer, that’s the main thing on his mind at the moment. He is honour-bound to talk with Tottenham first, especially now that Glenn Hoddle has taken over as the new manager. But of course it’s not everyday that a player of Sol’s ability becomes available, so it attracts massive interest. What makes any deal with Sol also very attractive is that he is on a free transfer, so many clubs from England and Europe have made it known that they are monitoring the situation. It would not be fair of me to name clubs, but Sol has often said that he would prefer to stay in London. So it wouldn’t be too difficult to work out which big London clubs have asked me to keep them up to date with the way matters with Tottenham are progressing.”
07/05/2001 Tottenham vice-chairman, David Buchler, commenting on speculation linking Campbell with a move to Barcelona: “Barcelona will have a hell of a fight on their hands if they want to take Sol away. It won’t be easy for them, I can promise that. We’ve got to show people we mean business and Sol is an integral part of that. He is key to our future plans. We have our sights on new players but this club will be based on youth, the youth we have coming through.”
09/05/2001 Spurs manager, Glenn Hoddle talking about Campbell’s contract situation: “I am confident that we will not lose him because of wages as we will make Sol a very good offer to stay. The talks are going on and I would love him to stay. I believe he will make the decision soon.”
16/05/2001 Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger: “We will have a look after the weekend. It is too early to say what we will do about Campbell but we have to be wise about our money. We must respect our wage structure. You can only pay so much without bankrupting the club. We won’t be paying anyone ?80,000 or ?100,000 a week. We will pay what we can afford for everybody and keep the wages right. We have ?10million more coming in from TV, but if you start paying ?100,000 a week for players, what difference does that extra money make?”
16/05/2001 Spurs’ executive vice-chairman, David Buchler: “We are looking forward to speaking with Sol at the end of this week. He has been on holiday for the past couple of weeks and we agreed that we would talk immediately he came back. We still hope Sol will commit himself to Tottenham and are looking forward to discussing his future at this club. There are lots of clubs interested in Sol, but we know that he is an honourable man and any reports of him having agreed to join Barcelona are just rumours.”
17/05/2001 Campbell’s agent, Sky Andrew, talking Barcelona rumours: “Sol is flattered to be linked with a club of Barcelona’s stature, but no decision has been made. Sol is back from holiday and over the next few days and we will talk to Tottenham. We haven’t spoken to any other clubs yet.”
21/05/2001 Sol Campbell giving his opinion on his contract situation: “Going abroad is not in my mind. The ball is in Spurs’ court now. It is a typical type of negotiation situation. There are ups and downs and we have to find somewhere where everyone is happy. I am in no hurry because I want to look at the whole picture. We will just have to wait and see what happens in the next two or three weeks.”
23/05/2001 Liverpool manager, Gerard Houllier responding to speculation linking the central-defender with a move to Anfield: “He is a good player. Any good players who are available we will be interested in, providing they can improve the squad. But I am very pleased with Sami and Stephane. They are very strong, although it is not ideal moving players in from other positions to cover for them.”
23/05/2001 Barcelona manager, Carles Rexach, talking about Sol Campbell’s situation: “A lot depends on whether Campbell wants to leave Tottenham, a club he has played for all his life. He says he wants time to think about it but I believe that if he can reach an agreement with Tottenham, he will stay there. He is the kind of defender we like. He is young and aggressive and we have lacked that in defence this season, especially with injury problems affecting Abelardo and Frank de Boer. But my personal opinion is that Campbell likes Tottenham so much that he will accept a good offer to stay with them.”
25/05/2001 Spurs spokesman, John Fennelley: “We made an offer last night (Thursday) which he went away to consider and it’s the best offer the club has ever made to a player. People are saying that he has already said goodbye to the club - but that’s not true. We’re still hoping he will stay.”
26/05/2001 Spurs’ vice-chairman, David Buchler, commenting on Campbell rumours to Arsenal: “There’s no chance of Sol leaving for Arsenal. He is a Spurs fan and there’s not a hope in hell of him playing in an Arsenal shirt.”
30/05/2001 Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger: “You can create a big team without bankrupting the club and we would not pay a player ?100,000-a-week. I want to sign big players, but that does not necessarily mean they have to be big names. You have to be sensible in buying players and respect the structure of the club.”
30/05/2001 Sol Campbell’s agent, Sky Andrew: “Sol is ready to talk to Liverpool about a possible move in the summer. Discussions are at early stage, but money at this stage is not an issue. Sol has already spoken to Barcelona, Inter Milan and Real Madrid so he has options, at this stage he would like to stay in England.”
01/06/2001 Arsenal defender, Martin Keown, giving his opinion on Campbell’s proposed move to Highbury: “It would be a very good move for Arsenal. Whether that happens remains to be seen, and who Sol lines up with also remains to be seen. But looking at birth certificates of those already at the club would be a basis for saying that Arsenal need central defenders. Looking at performances is another matter, but I’ve not spoken to Sol.” he added: “It’s been done before. Willie Young and Pat Jennings have come across to us and did exceptionally well, so I don’t see any reason why not. But I don’t know what will happen. One day he’s coming, one day he’s not. Arsenal wouldn’t put anyone on any more money than they could afford to pay and, as a player, you accept that situation. I’m not saying that everyone would adopt that attitude, but we’ll sort that one out when and if it comes up.”
01/06/2001 Liverpool defender, Stephane Henchoz, giving his opinion on Campbell’s proposed move to Anfield: “I would say it is perfectly normal for Liverpool to be linked with top players because we are a top club and have had a good season. Sol Campbell is a very good player and if we are to build on that success we are going to need as strong a squad as possible. I don’t think it is bad that big names are being associated with Liverpool, even if a new arrival would put people under pressure. I don’t think anyone, whether they are already at the club or not, can be guaranteed a regular place in the first team, no matter who they are. It’s important to have a strong competition for places and there’s already competition at Liverpool.”
13/06/2001 Campbell’s agent, Sky Andrew: “Sol wants everything sorted by the end of the month. We are in discussions with a number of clubs, but I would not anticipate concrete developments for the next week or two.”
14/06/2001 Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger: “Of course we are still interested in Sol Campbell, but I don’t think he has made his mind up about where he wants to go.”
14/06/2001 Barcelona winger, Marc Overmars: “I’m really surprised to hear that Sol Campbell looks set to join my old team Arsenal from Spurs. I had a strong feeling that he’d be signing for my current team Barcelona and it’s a shock that he seems to have chosen to cross the North London divide instead. It would have been great to see Sol put his skills and abilities to test in a new league. It would also have been good for him as a player in his development. Instead, it seems he’s chosen to stay put in England.” he added: “I understand that nothing is finalised or official between Campbell and Arsenal. Arsenal need to look forward and invest in some younger centre-backs if they are to make any progress at all so Campbell would be good for them in that respect. But he will face some stick if he moves and possibly some serious abuse. Certainly when Arsenal travel to White Hart Lane next season, Campbell will have to face some horrible scenes, angry fans and endure a horrible experience. He’ll have to be big enough to face that consequence if he moves to Highbury.”
15/06/2001 Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger: “We are one of the clubs who are interested but the rest is down to Sol Campbell. He has interest from many clubs and it’s up to him to make the choice. I don’t know when he will make a decision - yesterday his agent announced that he will make a decision in two or three weeks.”
16/06/2001 Barcelona manager, Charly Rexach, commenting on Barcelona’s interest in Campbell: “I know there has been contact, but he wants to play in the Champions League, and this will be the main condition as to whether Sol says yes or no to Barcelona. It’s his decision. He is an important footballer. He is an aggressive player who is excellent defensively. Those are the kind of players we need.”
17/06/2001 Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, talking about his attempts to sign the England man: “We haven’t given up all hope but it’s not looking good.”
18/06/2001 Arsenal and England defender, Martin Keown: “Barcelona are a massive club. I see no reason why Sol can’t be a big success at Barcelona.”
19/06/2001 Barca manager, Carles Rexach: “We have had very positive discussions with Sol Campbell and his representative and my feeling is that he is close to joining us. I believe he will make a decision very soon and I hope it will be good news for Barcelona. We also have Champions League football. I think it will be a positive outcome.”
20/06/2001 Former Spurs and Marseille winger, Chris Waddle, giving his opinion on how moving to Barcelona would be good for Sol: “Going to Barcelona would be a brilliant way to learn how to play with the ball. If you can’t learn to do that there, you’ll never learn.”
21/06/2001 Arsenal chairman, David Dein: “Sol Campbell’s position, is that the timing is his. He has said to me he will make a decision in two or three weeks time and obviously we we would like it to be before we start pre-season training on July 5, otherwise we’ll have other fish to fry.”
29/06/2001 Inter Milan president, Massimo Moratti: “We will get Campbell. He is well liked by manager Hector Cuper and he is ours.”
29/06/2001 Inter spokesman: “Talks between Inter and Sol Campbell are going very well. Inter thinks Sol Campbell is a superb player and we hope very much that he will decide to come here. We hope to have a decision within a few days. At least by the end of next week.”
01/07/2001 Bayern president, Franz Beckenbauer: “We have made an offer for Campbell. A lot of clubs want him, he is a world class player.” & Bayern vice-president, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: “We were interested in Campbell three months back, but not anymore. Such a signing would create problems in this club. He was too expensive. If he wants ?5.8 million what should someone like Kahn be paid?”
03/07/2001 Sol Campbell signs from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal on a Bosman free transfer.
