Former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song has revealed that he left the club to join Barcelona so that he could become a millionaire.
The midfielder has admitted that the transfer was motivated by money, and he joined the Spanish club with the knowledge that he would not be playing regularly.
At the time, Barcelona had players like Sergio Busquets, Andre Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez at their disposal. But they wanted to add more depth in the middle of the park, and they submitted a £15 million offer to sign the Arsenal midfielder as a backup option.
Even though he was a key player for Arsenal at the time, the midfielder decided to move on and join Barcelona as a squad player so that he could earn more money. Apparently, the midfielder earned around £70,000 a week at Barcelona when he joined the club in 2012.
Alex Song quit Arsenal for money
Song has revealed that he wanted a comfortable and secure life for his family once his career was over and therefore he decided to accept the lucrative proposal from Barcelona. The Barcelona director at the time informed the player that he will not be a regular starter for the club, but he had no qualms about joining them.
He said via Mirror: “When Barcelona offered me a contract, and I saw how much I would earn, I didn’t think twice.
“I felt my wife and children should have comfortable lives once my career is over. I met Barca’s sporting director, and he told me I would not get to play many games, but I didn’t give a f*** – I knew that now I would become a millionaire.”
His comments will certainly come across as disappointing for the Arsenal fans who rated him highly during his time at the club. He was the key player under Arsene Wenger and staying at the north London club could have seen him utilise his true potential.