Meh. We've never sold a top player in their prime. They're always either past it (Sanchez, Henry, Auba, Ozil) or not actually top grade (Oxlade). Fabregas was about the only one we missed a trick on but he was running his contract down. Even now we have no big hitters to sell. Just late 20s deadwood that other top teams won't want.
Exactly the part in bold - and we didn't help our selves with 4 year contracts. Not only does that increase annual ammortisation in the accounts (accounting cost spread over 4 years instead of 5) , but it also means that it it only 2 years between vital transfer renegotiations - or the player goes into the last year. A good example is Aubameyang - huge mistake to let his contract run down to a year and then an even bigger one giving him a new contract when we were under pressure of effectively losing him on a free. Should have sold him with 2 years left on his contract.
We don't seem to be a club that sells our A list players anymore - which is actually welcome IMO. Our finances are in good shape and we can maintain c£150m a year in new players as long as we are in the CL. Martinelli is one that we MIGHT sell though - depending on whether we get in another top class player. I'd be disappointed if we did as I think he's one of our most dangerous players.
I agree with this. We should be on 5 year contracts and not mess around at the 2 year point - sell immediately if there are any barriers to a new contract.
Well yes. That's my point. We don't ever appear to want to sell top (or almost top) level players that other teams really want, when they're in their prime. Hold and hold and hold. Wait until near end of contract then sell for £30m. Standard tactics. Urgh. Would bite £70m from a Saudi club for Martinelli. 90% pure psr profit too for that wastrel.
I thought that too Last year was not Gabby's best but he was still one of the top scoring wide players and i thought he played really well in the run in.
Hmm. I'm not as big on him as you are. He's only had one top season with us and that was 2-3 years ago now. His last 2 seasons were OK, but I really think we could do better. His decision-making hasn't improved at all since joining in 2019. I do think our style of play doesn't suit him, and maybe that's part of the reason why his development has stunted. But if we got an offer of anything around £60m+, I think we should absolutely take it. It would be good money for us to reinvest in a different wide forward and it'd give Martinelli a chance for a fresh start elsewhere.
I read that Liverpool were trying to scupper the Gyokeres deal. Not true apparently, just some noise. Looks like Gyokeres DOES have his medical today.
Absolutely keep Martinelli unless a stupid offer came in for him. Even though last season wasn't his best, he still got into double figures in goals and is always a threat down that left side.
Still being linked to Paulinha from Bayern. As much as I like the player - we better not ****ing sign ANOTHER ****ing defensive midfielder before we sign a striker.
I am disappointed. The fact is we fly out on tour tomorrow and we've signed Zubi, Kepa and Norgaard. No one else. They are simply replacements for Partey, Jorginho and Neto. At this stage it seems unlikely that any signings other than those - if they happen - will miss the first game at least of the tour and the team building/training leading up to it. That is simply not acceptable.
I think Gyokeres WILL happen in the next few days - it's just been a very difficult transfer to get over the line. I can imagine Berta is pretty stubborn TBH. Also Madueki is all but done apparently.
Hopefully things get done today - but we fly out tomorrow. I always judge on the tour date - i find it ridiculous that new players are not ready for the pre season (or at least the main additions). i get that an opportunity can come up late in the window, but generally speaking the circus just gets stupid the closer to the end
