Alexander Hleb slams London as Barcelona beckons
Published 00:00 10/07/08 By By Martin Lipton
Alexander Hleb will join Barcelona in the next 24 hours - after a bizarre parting shot at London life.
The Belarus midfielder flew to Catalonia last night to complete the final details on a four-year deal after Arsenal agreed an initial fee of £12million plus a further payment of up to £2.3m.
Hleb, 27, said: "I can't get used to the chaotic way of life in London, where everyone is racing around 24 hours a day.
"It is uncomfortable and I'm mentally tired. I feel I can't keep squeezing enough out of myself to satisfy a team like Arsenal.
"I honestly told Arsene Wenger that at our two recent meetings."
Given that Barcelona is another buzzing metropolis rather than a cultural backwater, Hleb's excuse sounded pathetic.
He added: "I also made no secret of the fact that some leading European clubs were interested in me.
"Wenger wasn't happy about that, but I have a huge desire to play for Barcelona."
