Numerous firm reports that we had a bid accepted with Valencia, also seen some suggestions that his agent was pretty happy with our terms too but since then Banega has done an interview stating he wants to stay at Valencia for a long time to repay their loyalty and achieve the goals they set out etc., the usual spiel. Implication is that he, understandably, sees us as a step down he is not willing to take, but it would not be the first time a player has said one thing and done another and it would seem Valencia are in a position where they need to sell. I.e., we're in the middle of another bloody saga!
Can we just get Alex C or Jennifer H from SkyBet back online - people who know what's going on here?!
Thanks for that Mikey. That allows Banega to leave Valencia and the fans shouldn't feel too bad about it either.
Also, now that we are on Sky Bet with odds, does that make the deal less likely to go ahead? Jennifer C needs to answer that.
To be fair, no foreign players were even that enamoured to go to Manchester City during their first power season - look at Robinho, for example - and now they can't get enough; so what I take from that is that building an ambitious squad and aiming for players above your station, and attracting players who have never heard about you, is all part and parcel of the step up involved. Our pride should remain intact. And as you suggest SS, it create the conditions required for the fans to see him off as a hero. Either that, or he has left a flaming metaphorical Ferrari in Valencia's plans, by now genuinely refusing to go because he things we're below his station.
Indeed, that is a good comparison. Nicola's job of profile raising is a more difficult one though because Man City did have a reasonably illustrious past from way back. Whereas Saints can be considered very much as the shiny new boys in town. Money will eventually root them out though.
It would make more sense to sell Banega than there top striker. If they want to challenge for champions league money for next season. Do they have cover to replace Banega if he leaves?
If chelski buy Rooney thet could well offload one of their forwards so why not lukaku to us. Long shot but possible?
They've just signed Oriol Romeu and Javi Fuego, who wouldn't be direct replacements but could easily fill his place in the team with a bit of positional rotation. Also apparently they've signed an attacking midfielder called Michel from Levante but I don't actually know anything about him.
My personal view is that offloading Ba would make more sense, especially long term, than Lukaku. And even if they were to offload Lukaku, I'm sure bigger clubs than us would be in front of us in the queue. Both here and abroad.
Spuds allegedly in for Soldado at 20-25m. Would this be enough of a lifeline for Valencia, leaving Banega to stay as the hero?
Maybe seen some articles saying they need €15m and some saying around €30m. But remember this will only be enough for this season.
Valencia is broke. They do not want to sell Soldado as he is their best player and captain. He has a 30 million release clause and they have stated they won't let him go unless someone meets it. On the other hand, they have pretty much announced that Banega and others are for sale. Apparently they have accepted our bid, so they play no further role in this. As far as Banega is concerned, to me he simply has no compelling reason to come to Saints. That does not necessarily mean he views it as a step down or that he dislikes the club. From his perspective he has been put on the block and some random club has come in for him. Given Banega's stature and Cortese's money management this is probably not a case where we offered him money he could not refuse. If someone triggers Soldado's release clause then I expect Valencia will pull Banega off the table as he doesn't appear to have a strong desire to go. Otherwise, all we can count on is maybe for Valencia to give the most gentlest of nudges. They'd rather have the money, but if it looks like they aren't going to get the money then they need Banega to play, and play well and then they can sell him after the season. They wouldn't dare threaten to bench him unless he goes. But the thing is, if Banega is happy at Valencia there's no reason for him to move. He's in the first team, he's comfortable with the setup, he speaks the language, if he plays well he gives himself much better options for next year because his contract is up. If he moves to Saints and plays well he will be in equally high demand, but he'll be tied to a longer-term contract and NC doesn't sell players easily. Valencia has the advantage, but in the end it really comes down to his own personal career goals and personality as to which club he feels more comfortable at.
