I think the price is about the best we could hope for really for a 25 year old who has never played above championship level. Madison and Buendia were both younger when sold, and had had a bigger impact in the Championship. We have time on Sara's contract, but if we're looking at 2-3 seasons to achieve promotion, he's not going to want to play in the championship for that long and he'd need a truly remarkable season to increase his value significantly. I can see the sense in the move. I'm hoping we see a reasonable percentage of the fee reinvested into a couple of 21-22 year old players who can use next season to adjust to the championship, then play a big role in a promotion push for the 2 seasons after.
I think it's telling that Gabby is heading to Turkey rather than to one of the top five European leagues. I'm pretty sure both Gabby and the club will feel satisfied with the outcome of the decisions each took two years ago. Been a pleasure watching him; wish him well.
Choice quotes from JHT post-match, via the Pinkun: JHT on Gabriel Sara's move to Galatasaray... "It's obvious for everyone when we leave a player with his ability out of the squad. It is getting close. If it will be a transfer for him, it is more than deserved." Will you manage to get another left-sided defender in before the Oxford game? JHT: "Yes." Also: Adam Idah is the only #NCFC player who didn't go and applaud the fans post-match. He headed straight down the tunnel.
Idah should be let go, but not at any price. His head is not at CR where he was not admired by most fans.
https://x.com/GalatasaraySK/status/1820188289137012971 Is this the actual Galatasaray account giving us a financial breakdown of the transaction? Looks like Sara gets about £45k a week.
Rumour has it that Rowe to Leeds for £7m? That seems well below value and will NCFC sell to another Championship side?
The rumour I've seen is that Leeds have made an "opening bid" of £7m. That is a long way from him going to Leeds for £7m.
I hope that's not right. That's 5m EUR less than Connor reported two days ago. That would be depressing.
No, the Galatasary X account isn't giving a complete picture. They have published only what they are legally required to publish. For additional details see the Pink'Un Q & A session this afternoon. For instance, the deal includes various so-called "bonus payments" which, despite what you might think, are guaranteed, not dependent on how Sara performs or achievement of this or that target. The figures Connor reported take these into account and are, I think, pretty accurate. The deal is structured for payments to be made over several seasons, which is standard practice nowadays and important in terms of avoiding falling foul of the Profit & Sustainability rules. As I understand it, by the time the deal is "complete", City will have received the quoted £24m, plus any performance-related "add-ons" triggered, sell-on percentage, and so on.
That figure makes the deal sound acceptable to me. I had expected one of Rowe or Sara to leave this window and if i'm honest, Rowe would have been my choice to keep, however losing potentially both will be a massive blow. If the rumours are true that we're putting a realistic target on spending the next couple of seasons in the Championship restructuring etc then I think we need to brace ourselves for Rowe's exit too.
The worst kept secret is finally across the line as Callum Doyle arrives on loan from Man City. JHT has told him he will be used as both CB and LB
"Rumours"? The Pink'Un interview with Glen Riddersholm surely makes it absolutely clear that we are embarked on a two to three season rebuild. In Riddersholm's words, what's brought him and Thorup to Norwich is the attraction of building something "big" by "doing different". We are just at the start. We should all stop agonising over where we'll finish in the league this season and focus on supporting the team in its evolution from pragmatic damage-limitation to Thorup's possession-based but attack-minded style. The fact that, squad-wise, from that perspective, we have a lot of square pegs in round holes, just emphasises the need to adjust expectations to a more realistic time-frame.
He seems particularly well-suited to the LB role in Thorup's normal setup due to his ability to drop in to form a back three, combined with his reputedly excellect passing accuracy and range of passing.
Then we should expect our better players to leave if decent offers come in. Why stay at a club that’s rumoured to be rebuilding in the style of Thorup and is looking at longer term promotion.
