Nice on Dill but I think the ignore list is better for them. Let them continue to waste their time writing nothing to no-one
The first article agrees with the theory that Rodgers didn't flout the agreement 'That obstacle was removed when Tottenham made an approach for Allen, 22' So if you can believe the press that's an outlook. Also, back on topic, here's a quote or two from today about Reina: Rodgers on Pepe exit speculations "I've never had problem with Pepe. He's been brilliant for me. He's a key member of the squad." Rodgers on Reina "I've had no feelings at all that he's ever wanted to leave. I've never felt anything like that whatsoever."
"That obstacle was removed when Tottenham made an approach for Allen, 22" Incorrectly reported - what a surprise. No "approach" was ever made or received by Swansea City in the sense of an offer being made. Many media sources reported that Spurs were "interested" or were "tracking the progress" of Allen (Google it yourself to see what I mean). That's entirely different. Nobody came in for Allen at the time of the original Liverpool bid. That's a fact - and I tend not to say that too often on here. The Mail Online reported on 28th July: "Swansea launched a swipe at the Anfield club after Liverpool agreed they would not court Swansea players for 12 months unless another club made an offer or the player was transfer listed." This was accurate. The Mail then went on to say that AVB was "plotting" a bid but it never happened. One source I found actually rubbished the Spurs/ Allen link so it's clear that any "interest", real or imaginary, was press speculation at best and didn't open the door for the original £12.5M bid. Why? Because no other club made an offer, and you won't find a source anywhere that says they did. The source quoted above is the only one that said the door was opened, and they're just plain wrong. When questions on the breaching of the agreement have been raised nobody has ever suggested that Liverpool were entitled to bid because of the "Spurs interest". At least I've never seen such a comment. Most media pundits agreed that no move was going to be made for Allen by Spurs until Modric was sold. Of course we all know that Allen had gone by then. Much is made on the agreement but the content of it is common in football and the media have largely reported it accurately: http://bit.ly/OouHGQ " Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins turned down the proposal before the club released a statement on Wednesday evening highlighting the apparent breach of the agreement reached by the two clubs in May. Under the terms of that deal, which followed Rodgers’ move to Anfield, Liverpool agreed they would not go after Swansea players for 12 months unless another club made an offer or the player was transfer listed. As yet, Swansea claim neither of those criteria have been met - the south Wales club confirmed in their statement that there has been other interest, believed to be from Tottenham - and senior figures among the club’s hierarchy are understood to be less than impressed by Rodgers’ approach." Kind of puts it to bed, I think. No offer = no opening of any door and the original bid was a breach.
You can't pick and choose what you think is accurate based on how you feel. How can you be that sure? If this is true then Rodgers did nothing wrong, surely? At least from the agreement-side of things.
1: The Mail was reporting the content of the agreement. It was accurate because (a) the terms of said agreement are common in football, and (b) it's consistent with Swansea's later statement that they were disappointed in Rodgers's approach. It's not unreasonable to assume that this was because the criteria hadn't been met (unless you can spin that too). Not a question of picking and choosing. The facts are there - you just need to take your Belfast goggles off. 2: You clearly can't grasp the concept of "interest" and "offer". How can you not understand? No offer was made by Spurs. Fact. Therefore the original Liverpool bid was a breach of the agreement. That's why the Club responded so unusually tersely. Why would the Swans release such a statement if Rodgers was doing nothing wrong? If the criteria was met there'd be nothing to moan about would there? It's as plain as day if you care to look.
My position is that we don't know enough to say either way - but clearly something happened that meant Swansea had to accept our offer. I understand perfectly the difference between interest and an offer. You have to remember that there could have been many offers or interested clubs that we don't know about. What I'm saying is that it's incredibly premature to be certain of any of it.
