Saint Victor!

Depends which way you read into it?

 

What did he say about the club's values?

Let's assume we're not still negotiating then, but he explicitly said the deal was not dead and that it could happen. So offer clearly still on the table.

 

Okay - here's some audioboo of the presser re Vic - http://audioboo.fm/boos/1485039

 

1 viewpoint on "club values" - always looking to improve, sign good quality players who are young and hungry to succeed and help the club grow = deal still on

Other viewpoint - club doesn't want to get ****ed on agents demands/wages, doesn't like its transfer targets brought into the limelight and criticised in the media = deal off

Depends which way you want to interpret it

 

http://audioboo.fm/boos/1485039

Not just Victor we're after, but we're hoping to advance in negotiations - we're very interested, we'll see how it unfolds. Then goes on about setting when we negotiate etc, lots of people want to come to us.

 

Daily Mail reporting that Cardiff are set to pull out.

Leaves us as the only show in town then...

 

Yeah posted the link on the transfer rumour thread as it had about Banega etc as well.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...on-interested-Leandro-Damiao-Ever-Banega.html

 

Aaand we're back to feeling positive about it. Give it a couple of days and I'm sure Inter and Arsenal will jump in to ruin our fun.

 

It'll take more than a throwaway line in an article about others to convince me that Cardiff's done chasing, though one would think -- if they had everyone else sewn up and the only sticking point was 1m to Celtic -- that they'd have moved this forward by now.

 

Another, different MailSport EXCLUSIVE saying that Cardiff have pulled out of the running to sign Wanyama.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...iff-pull-10m-deal-Celtics-Victor-Wanyama.html

 

All I can say is IF he does sign I hope he is bloody worth it after all this!

 

Cardiff broke the rules if they had reached even an informal agreement with Wanyama and his agents without Celtic's permission (though I'm not naïve enough to believe it doesn't happen). This may be what MP's reference to Southampton acting within FIFA's rule refers to.

 

I wouldn't be surprised what goes on behind closed doors. From my experience of business totally unrelated to football they will find a way to tell you what terms they will accept.

 

It is interesting that Celtic seem determined to stick with our offer, considering that (according to the papers) there is little difference between the 2 offers. Our offer may be better than it appears (higher bid, money up front, sell on clause etc) or they are taking some kind of moral stance. I know someone will start talking about hard-headed business men etc, but business is conducted by human beings not a computer.

 

That, and Cardiff's financial planning..

 

We might be in a very strong position with money sitting in the bank. Someone offers you a payment plan lasting years and the other offers you all the money up front.

It could be a good reason why Celtic want to deal with us I was amazed by all the nice things they said about our club.

 

The money upfront offer is obviously a safer bet. I would think clubs would look at the pompey situation. Cardiff may well be signign big players on a installment plan based on PL survival. If they go straight down, hit money problems and go into admin like Pompey, Celtic are unlikely to see the rest of the payments. Its a long way down the line but it makes sense not to be a creditor to a newly promoted club with known debts.

 

Good point.

 

There could be an element of principle or power play in it as well. Celtic have already accepted a bid from us and could be playing hardball over the fee to make a point about agents and players.

 

I remember Buttner's previous club remarking that Southampton had done nothing wrong and behaved well. I'd rather hear that...even if it costs us a couple of players. More fish in the sea than ever came out of it.