Pissed off a load of fans from other clubs that we pulled this one off. Uncle Ron certainly has some pulling power.
Getting Alderwiereld and keeping Morgan. Top marks. Don't know much about sane but Salzburg were brilliant in Europe last year. Hope Ramirez kicks on at hull and we can get him back at a better level. He played his best football from the right in serie a so guess he'll play there for hull. Defence looking good for depth now as long as gardos is decent. Also really good to see Stephens get games, Turnbull has started every game for Swindon and they are doing well so hope it aides their development.
Question to all you intellectuals: Understand that option to buy gives us first refusal at a predetermined price. Presumably, TA can refuse the move though? Or if we meet the terms does he have no choice? Obviously we wouldn't want an unhappy player but is he now, in theory, also bound by the terms of the contract to see through the move should we choose to enforce it?
It just gives us first refusal. We bid £6.5 mill or whatever it was, and Madrid have to accept. TA does not have to join though.
The fact that he was seeking a loan in preference to a purchase suggests that he is keeping his options open...up to us to get him to fall in love and change his mind. At least, he's honest.
If he only stays for a year but helps us have a fantastic season then that's enough for me should he go on to bigger and better things.
I hate loans especially within the prem but I guess we r entering a new era, mainly due to FFP whereby loans will be a common strategy so I'll have to get used to it.
If he comes on loan and we buy permanently, then we could hold on to him for two or three years (including the season long loan). If he signed permanently this summer, we'd only have him for a year or two.
I think his interview was extremely impressive. Clear minded views, carefully communicated. Of all the positions on the pitch, you need these sort of decision making qualities at centre back. We are going to really miss Rickie in the changing room and this guy will fill that void imo. Also like the way both he and Ron conducted the transfer. He was obviously waiting for a CL club to come in or perhaps for one of the CBs ahead of him at Atletico to leave before moving to be a starter at a smaller club. Ron gave him a message about being "out of our league" and he was man enough to take our offer. Excellent transfer business if he comes back from Bosnia unscathed.
