Agent claims ‘illness’ is to blame…

Fran Merida’s laser-guided finish in the Carling Cup against Liverpool last week propelled him into public eye alongside Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey, as part of Arsenal’s jealousy-inducing line up of future stars.

However, things aren’t all good in the hood. The 19-year-old Spaniard is out of contract at the end of season and doesn’t look particularly fussed about tying up a deal any time soon. Even worse, he’s jonesing for a move to Atletico Madrid - which wouldn’t be so bad if 1) Atleti weren’t 18th in La Liga (one win from nine); and 2) he wasn’t born in Barcelona.

Spain’s Barcelona/Madrid rivalry has been rumbling on since the ’30s and its bitter legacy has birthed events Danny Dyer would describe as ‘pwoppa nawty’. None of it matters to fearless Merida though, who is a fully paid up member of Los Colchoneros despite being born under the shadow of Camp Nou.

Even the midfielder’s own agent is baffled, putting it down to an ‘illness’:

We only have an offer from Arsenal but Fran Merida has an illness, for want of a better word, and that is Atletico Madrid and you can’t do anything about that,’ said Diaz.

It started in 1996 when Atletico won the league and the Copa del Rey. He slept on red and white sheets, he followed Atletico whenever he had the chance.

Even when he was with his family he wore a gold ring with the Atletico badge stuck on it.

Considering Merida seems rather fond of crossing the divide, Arsenal fans should be hoping ‘Arry Redknapp doesn’t get wind of the young star’s contract status.