Ex-Arsenal and Atletico Madrid winger Jose Antonio Reyes has finally rejoined his first club, Sevilla, in a 3 and a half year deal worth €3.5million. It comes after days of intense speculation in relation to his future at Madrid and desire to return to Andalucia. Reyes, 28, had a well documented public disagreement with former Atleti boss Gregorio Manzano but insists that had nothing to do with the transfer.
“Sevilla have a great sporting project,” Reyes maintained. “I left there when I was very young and I think it’s time to return. I have always wanted to go back and it’s an exciting challenge for me with a team that game me the chance to be a professional footballer.”
He and Fabregas have both returned home with the latter moving to Barcelona in the summer but will this mean young Spaniards will now think twice before joining Arsene Wenger’s North London side or any English team altogether? Fran Merida made the move home a few seasons ago from the fringe of the Gunners’ first team and Fernando Torres is hardly doing Spanish players any justice in the Premier League at the moment, is he? We will have to monitor Arsenal youngster Ignasi Miquel for signs of homesickness.
Reyes however will now hope to strike up a fierce partnership with Tottenham old boy Frederic Kanoute and mount his own claim for a place in Vicente del Bosque’s Euro 2012 team, a squad he hasn’t been involved in for almost 5 years. He’s had a dream beginning to 2012, he has to ensure that he continues to make the year a memorable one.
