Alex Song has reported that while signing him, Barcelona told him that he wouldn’t see much game time. However, the Cameroonian “didn’t give a sh*t” as a lucrative contract with the Liga giants had been agreed.
“Once FC Barcelona offered me a deal, and I saw how much I would receive, I didn’t think about it twice.” Song told Toronto Raptors professional basketball player Pascal Siakam in a live Instagram chat. “I thought I should have a comfortable life for my wife and children. I met the sporting director and he said I wouldn’t play many games, but I didn’t give a sh*t. I knew I was going to be a millionaire.”
Barca put aside £ 15 million ($18 million) as a transfer fee, but Song was more excited with the salary increase he’d be getting in new surroundings.
That persuaded him that the time had come to abandon Arsenal, given the fact that he faced tough competition in Spain and that he would take on 65 appearances for the Blaugrana in only a few starts.
The defensive midfielder thus made a surprise switch to Catalunya after six years in north London.
During his time in Spain, he also helped to win a Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup before leaving for England again.
Song made 215 Arsenal appearances, scoring 10 times, and eventually returned to West Ham and English football because of his problems at Barca.
