Trouble is, I can't see NC getting bent over by an agent. Saying that, I don't think it's any more unlikely than previously - would guess we're still negotiating.
He's daft if he's putting it off due to agent fee's, the only teams that pay big money to agents are the top 6. None of them will take a punt on a £12,000,000 rated SPL player. I'd say he's shot himself I'm the foot.
Trouble is, I can't see NC getting bent over by an agent. Saying that, I don't think it's any more unlikely than previously - would guess we're still negotiating.
Think everyone is jumping to conclusions about agents fees being the stumbling block. Wanyama is saying the terms have to be acceptable to him and his agent and he trusts his agent to advise him. Probably still in negotiations, though doubt Nicola will move much unless he is nowhere near his final offer anyway. We all know that our wages are not high for the PL though okay for Europe.
No player is essential and no player can be guaranteed to be a success at any particular club. If not Wanyama, we may get another player who turns out better for us anyway. We must all learn not to love too soon.
As I say, I do suspect negotiations are continuing, but it's beginning to smack of the Buttner deal where we lost out because we wouldn't give cut to Buttner's dad. You have to admire the solidity of the principle, but it ain't half frustrating to miss out on players!
There are a few odd things in his statement. Apart from the stuff about his agent, which does indeed suggest we aren't offering him enough, he refers to it as "a very important move for me if it happens" which clearly implies he still thinks it could go ahead, and the stuff about him considering what is right for Celtic implies we are in the driving seat because no-one else has offered them as much as we have.
It's a little concerning that he would discuss things so openly with the media, but for my money it's just a negotiating tactic. From what he says none of the problems are insurmountable, and assuming Celtic don't accept a lower offer from Cardiff or anyone else, it's still difficult to see any other outcome than him signing for us.
Just thinking about this (and this is based on nothing but a hunch), knowing the way Nicola likes to operate, could it not be a good sign that the Banega deal has gone all quiet?
Trouble is no matter how good our transfer fee is, even if no other club can match it, if wanyama doesn't want it the transfer won't happen and Celtic won't see penny one. If you don't offer enough of a salary it kind of makes a mockery of the transfer offer.