Philogene is worth a lot more than the £5m we paid for him. We got a bargain I have no doubt Delap would be a smart investment at £10m he’s got everything to be a top player. But I doubt it’s one we can afford
Don't disagree but I guess that's what I'm getting at. Not affordable at that price, so not 'worth it' for us to take the gamble I suppose.
Man City do like those sorts of deals, especially lately. If we do manage to sell Estupinan, or sell one of McLoughlin/Greaves, I'd hope we splash out for Delap. He's only going to get better, and you can see his confidence growing game on game for us. EDIT: I've been so careful and finally fell for the trap of referring to Man City as 'City'. I'll need to hand in my badge.
Great minds!! I made that comparison on the podcast this week (and I think in one of the match threads here). It struck me in a recent game and now I can't unsee it.
They are very similar players in terms of style and physicality. I can’t see us being able to sign him, but likewise I don’t see the point of Man City holding onto him as he’s got a job to do dethroning Haaland. The asking price would be ridiculous as well. As has been mentioned, I think a buy back clause would soften the blow for us somewhat, but like HT2 said I agree that it would be surprising if we had to pay less than £10m for him.
£10 million or more for Delap would only be sensible if we got promoted. He’s quick, strong and has a few goals already but his decision-making at times needs a lot of improvement. He’s confident enough to turn a player and then use physicality, pace and decent ball control to go forward but it’s that last touch or pass that sometimes lets him down. He plays like that kid in under-12s football who is clearly better than everyone else and hit puberty earlier so he tries to take everyone on and score a brilliant solo goal when looking up and making a simple pass is probably the better option 90% of the time. He’s getting better at that though. He played a nice ball to Twine who then embarrassed himself by falling over. But £10 million would be way too steep for us in the Championship. If he has a good season with us on loan, Leicester will probably sign him next summer anyway as Maresca is ex-Man City coaching staff.
Heard a couple of whispers that some PL clubs are keen on Philogene, and want Villa to exercise the 5m buy back and they will pay them more than that to buy him
As if that’s going to happen. So Villa are gonna pay £5m for him and then sell him on again for less than we would? Forgetting all the contractual and admin **** that would be needed to facilitate such a farce.
Why not just pay us the fee they would pay to Villa? Or do they think Villa are dumb and will accept less? Not quite sure I believe those 'whispers'. The buy back is 15m also, not 5m.
I could only see it happening if we got promoted, if not, I would guess if he carries on this season and improves with us the likes of a middling EPL might take a punt on him.
Perceived one or two murmurs suggesting Villa will enact the 5m buy back, but are willingly to sell him back to us almost immediately for 6m, providing there's a new 5m buyback clause inserted that can be activated anytime we physically go near them.
No need to thank me. I've posted that comparison several times since he joined us, starting from his first couple of games with us.
Pretty certain Tan said the buyback only activates if we're in the same division as Villa. And it's 15m, not 5. If a prem club wants him and he wants to go, then I'm sure we'd consider a good offer, no buyback clause needed.
Looking at the market and previous sales, it would have to be an offer that eclipses what we got for KLP.
