Agree on the Real thing. They are plotting. For me here is what could happen: 1. We accept an Arsenal bid of £45 plus add on's. 2. We sell to Real for £35 plus a **** player in the mould of Nunez. 3. He stays until January/next summer.
Whatever happens it needs to happen quickly now, especially if he goes as it sounds like Soldado is a legit replacement and Spurs are leading for him. It won't though because every party is obviously trying to eke out every possible advantage/gain and doesn't want to come off worse and lose face in the process, it's just self-preservation now.
All gone quiet at the moment then, I wonder if Suarez will change the game and hand in that transfer request I don't see him going unless he does.
And...And this will sound romantic & foolish; but I'd like it to be us that breaks the player power balance. We are in the perfect position to resist everything and say contracts actually matter. If we are serious about developing young players, then paying them based on performance then we can't have them thinking they can just leave when it doesn't go their way. We've all said it for years "stick him in reserves " knowing we didn't really mean it or believe it could happen but this is as close to that as a club will get. As G says, Suarez is unlikely to strike etc but we're in a position to react if he does. Do it right this time and we'll not be beholden to a player again for a good while....
That's my point. Should we think that way? Why does it have to happen quickly? We'd obviously prefer it but if it drags that's why we dig our heels for the highest price. And we make sure everyone knows that. Buy in January. Apparently we're better at that very recently lol
Love the idea but would it put players off joining us? Like I just posted if he hands in the request then let him go abroad for a suitable fee but not to a PL team, if he doesn't hand in the request then keep him whether he likes it or not.
The lull says to me Suarez and Arsenal are thrashing things out contractually and Arsenal are thinking about a new bid. It's dodgy for them too though as this sort of money and high wages sets a precedent which they have been so clearly against in the past.
I think we have to adopt a multi-faceted strategy. Firstly we have to be sure that everybody JH, IA, TW and BR is committed to the same strategy ie no cracks. If Madrid do offer in the next 2 weeks we are prepared to talk but only on condition that the deal is done within an agreed timeframe. We should only agree a fee that is over £45m. If Arsenal come back with an offer we should only talk if the offer is in excess of £52m and only for cash. More importantly FSG/LFC must re-establish management power. No player can be allowed to even attempt to blackmail the club. To that end I would be prepared to see us retain an unhappy Suarez and end up selling him for less next Summer.
You're right, there's been very little news on it today anyway. Had talksport on earlier on the way to the gym and there was one irate southern LFC fan banging on about loyalty and how because of the controversies we're owed another season from him, was thinking you do realise this is Suarez and 2013, none of that means anything to the modern player (with very few exceptions).
Levy did it with Modric, He got an extra year out of him and in the end he left on his terms for a **** off fee to Real
I'm just worried about finding replacements, don't want it to be last minute. I know we will have guis lined up already but actually doing the deals takes a bit of time. Agree that we should get as much as possible but RM will low ball us if they come in. Still not sure it's good business selling to the Arse even if its £50mill+.
One thing guys we should be mindful of is Suarez' history with leaving clubs. When he wanted to go to Ajax he forced a move from Groningen by taking the club to court which effectively forced the move. It could all get very nasty, and yet again we have a huge distraction. Personally I would be very happy without the negative attention we have had from him over the past two years. Just at the correct price!!!
Maybe, at the mo. but we seem to be going down the route of buying or growing lots of youngsters for 4 years down the road. If this the case then it's a good stand to take. I mean, being pussys isn't getting us the stars because we aren't CL/PL contenders. So teach the youngsters right and make examples of the ones that step out of line. Starting with our star player & another long running servant is quite a lesson to them this year. If it works with the youngsters and we're stable team wise & succeed then we attract players based on that & can demand what we want anyway.
I still think the club has the right to accept a bid or turn it down even if he has a transfer request accepted, his value in this country is more as he is playing in a team that directly affects us. I may be wrong?
