I suspect that this may be the case. There is absolutely no other explanation as to why the TV money isn't being used.
The bridges have been burned between Rafa and Fatty. The only way Rafa will be here next Summer is if Ashley has sold up. There isn’t a middle ground here at all. I honestly believe that if someone comes in... they will properly invest and that will be enough for Rafa. If Ashley is here still then Rafa will be long gone.. the fans will be in mass revolt and even the Third Coming of Keegan wouldn’t be enough to halt the terminal slide.
I think Rondon's actually pretty decent. He always looks a handful, but controlled aggression and ability too. Him, Joselu as backup, with Perez/Muto vying to play alongside (we've played 2 up top all pre-season). Joselu is obviously utter turd, but what choice do we really have? Midfield is two from Shelvey, Ki, Diame and Longstaff, RW Ritchie/Murphy, LW Kenedy/Atsu. Same logic dictates we need competition for Dummett and cover for Lejeune's injury. Sterry covers for Yedlin. Obviously Rafa would prefer better upgrades on the likes of Ritchie (Townsend), Diame, Perez, etc. but won't happen under Mike Ashley so we are where we are. The Mexican CB dude on a free (or another loan from somewhere), £7m on this PSG left back and then see where we are.
Agree. A few of the signings seem pretty decent - fairly excited about Muto (as much as it's possible to be with MA's NUFC) and really hope he settles in quickly and performs like I've seen him do before. Of course the big negative for all of us is that we could and should have done so much more.
Has Rondon had much of a pre season? Will he be good to go on Saturday? Assuming it doesn't take a full week to get him over the line
Just read somewhere: We pay £5M (inc all fees etc) for Rondon for the season - instead of £25+M inc wages if we signed him on a 3 year deal. We also get Gayle back after a year who if he has another good season in the Championship we could then command a healthy £10+M. All in all sounds good financially on paper and on the field in Rafa's eyes
Would be broadly happy with that. It'd also be interesting to know what wages both Rondon and Gayle are on and whether there's much difference between them. Onto defensive cover next then....
Still supposedly looking at Ings from Liverpool as well. Apparently we can bring him in on loan as a 3rd loanee if there is a buy clause in the deal - makes it a deferred purchase rather than a loan....
Problem I see is that if true then very easy to get around it - insert a we'll pay you £20M if he plays 35 games. Then stop playing him after 34 games. Can't see this 3rd loan option being true at all.
Surely then it is a transfer with a £0 down payment and full fee due on 1st June 2019 (example date) this is then not a loan.
If it does happen, then a fit Ings and Rondon up front would be a marked improvement on last season in my humble opinion
