Got to hand it to the press, wish they would get their stories straight. Whilst the rumour mill runs amock, this is why we shouldn't pay too much attention too them. But it's still nice too speculate, even though we havn't got a clue who's going where. Real Madrid are willing to sell Cristiano Ronaldo for ã150m after a rift developed between the Portugal star and manager Jose Mourinho. Full story: Daily Mail Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour is prepared to offer Real ã150m for Ronaldo but the bid is likely to be rejected by Madrid chief Florentino Perez. Mansour also has his eyes on Mourinho. Full story: AS (in Spanish) City have rejected the speculation over Ronaldo. "There is no substance in these reports whatsoever," a club spokesman said. Full story: Press Association
now ya talking. If we say it enough someone will post it on SMB then it comes back here from a good source.
In that case a shopping list for Mr Short V. Valdés Dani Alves Piqué Puyol Xavi David Villa A. Iniesta Bojan Messi Jeffrén Pinto Mascherano Keita Sergio Pedro Milito Maxwell Afellay Adriano Abidal Ronaldo
There's no way we'd get Ronaldo but we should now be entering the ã20million area when considering players. We can comfortably live in the 'up to 10 or 12 million bracket now but the game is changing constantly and we always seem to lag a little behind teams we would consider our immediate competitors. Getting Bent for around the ã12million price was a statement to us fans but compared to the Torres and Carroll fees is not as much as it appears. We can't compete with the top 5 (or maybe 6 now) on transfer fees but we should be heading the next bunch of clubs where I would place us (Villa, Everton,Bolton and maybe Fulham, Stoke and 'them')
I agree Charley with a full house and successfullish team we should be able to compete. However, my personal feeling is that football is due a crunch and these fees will begin to normalise out. Not sure when the latest Sky money runs out but doubt the same size of deal will be signed. That the only reason I would guard against mega fee deals as much as I would love to see them happen I don't want us doing a bradford/leeds on the back of them.
