I believe agents are also known to let certain clubs that their client might be available for transfer or looking for/amiable to a move, without the player having a specific club in mind. So an agent might not tell the player that they have spoken to another club until there is interest, all of which could be based on a vague conversation the player had with his agent perhaps months before.
Do you think it's entirely possible that clubs approached De Gea and Ronaldo's agents in the same way
I don't think its just 'if they want out', I think they do it just to see if anyone is interested and to keep their options open. A sort of 'Is the grass greener elsewhere?' Also a handy negotiation tool for a new or bigger contract, ie club x is interested if I don't get more money I'll move etc. And I don't necessarily think its always on the Players say so, I think the agents are always looking for the bigger payday off their clients. Remember the player doesn't have to take every offer an agent might come to them with.
You have just offered £200k/week to a CB, he will look at the money he is on coupled with the chance of playing for Barca and think "**** this" I can see a massive new contract offered (ala Suarez and Ronaldo), a move to Spain or a very disgruntled player
Very true, a good agent will always be looking for the best deal for his client and ultimately himself.
BREAKING NEWS A source close to Virgil Van Dijk expects him to be a Liverpool player by the end of the window. Liverpool ended their interest in Van Dijk after Southampton complained to the Premier League about an alleged illegal approach. They also apologised to Southampton.
MORE ON VAN DIJK Liverpool's position has not changed since they issued a statement last month. We understand Van Dijk still wants to move to Liverpool. He has not gone on a Southampton training camp in France. There is no suggestion that Liverpool have done anything wrong since they apologised and ended their interest. Southampton's position remains that Van Dijk is not for sale but Chelsea and Manchester City are also interested.
I think they will do well this season, could be a 3 way fight for 5th between Everton, Liverpool and United.