The European Club Soccer Off-Season Thread

[SuperMatt18]

Ridiculous to think that one player could cost £100m. Can't help but think that Tottenham will be better with the infusion of cash if they spend it wisely over the next year and a half.

The BVB starting 11 that beat Madrid in the Champions League semi final last season cost them €40.6m. They are going to have 5 times that amount tied up in Ronaldo and Bale.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I want to see a game where Bayern start all 10 of their "international" midfielders.

Thiago, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Gustvao, Alaba, Gotze, Shaquiri, Martinez, Ribery, Robben, Neuer should be the starting 11 for a game.

That would be awesome! Start them in a game against one of the promoted clubs. It would be extremely arrogant, but fun to watch! They might have to score themselves out of defensive mistakes though.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Originally Posted by Addick

So it looks like Gustavo is available but Wolfsburg look ready to swoop in. With him being able to provide cover at LB and CB he would be a ready made solution to our defensive woes, it would be tough to see Wenger and company overlook another excellent option. He even appears to be in Wenger's spending comfort zone!

I really like Gustavo but there's unfortunately no room for him. He'll be a great pickup for someone.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Locke

That would be awesome! Start them in a game against one of the promoted clubs. It would be extremely arrogant, but fun to watch! They might have to score themselves out of defensive mistakes though.

Alaba, Martinez and Gustavo all play more of a defensive role so they would make up the backline. Ribery and Robben on the wings. Thiago, Schweinsteiger, and Kroos in the middle with Gotze playing just off Shaquiri up front.

Would look Something Like:

Alaba-Martinez-Gustavo
Ribery-Thiago-Schweinsteiger-Kroos-Robben
Gotze
Shaquiri

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.marca.com/2013/08/08/futb...375962504.html

Flo now says 100m Euros is too much for a player

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

http://www.marca.com/2013/08/08/futb...375962504.html

Flo now says 100m Euros is too much for a player

They're right. Its an insane amount of money. I'm a fan of Bale, but that kind of price tag is going to bite them in the ass.

Real would be insane to pay it and Spurs would be insane not to take it.

If the negotiations are at a point where the money is anywhere near £80M for Bale then they should take the money and run.

[d_phaneuf]

it's just funny that was the number the Guardian Arsenal writer and all the others claimed was the initial offer (85m pounds is 100m Euro but Levy was demanding 100m pounds)

That story was then taken as fact and everyone reported it

so it was A. a huge lie, and B. Flo is basically saying, we can't afford this, lower your price

they are a victim of their own mouthpiece (Marca) spouting off and raising the value

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

it's just funny that was the number the Guardian Arsenal writer and all the others claimed was the initial offer (85m pounds is 100m Euro but Levy was demanding 100m pounds)

That story was then taken as fact and everyone reported it

so it was A. a huge lie, and B. Flo is basically saying, we can't afford this, lower your price

they are a victim of their own mouthpiece (Marca) spouting off and raising the value

Its long overdue for that to bite them in the ass. I'm enjoying it rather immensely and I hope Spurs get £100M for Bale.

[d_phaneuf]

John Henry says Suarez is going nowhere

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...nry?CMP=twt_gu

[cam_wmh]

How about that Rooney eh? Fitness has him relegated to the reserves

[d_phaneuf]

David Ornstein ‏@bbcsport_david 9m
Understand #afc did not make offer for Higuain. Agreed personal terms but put deal on hold to prioritise Suarez, Napoli pounced #bbcfootball

they can't work on both simultaneously?

i.e make an offer for Higuain, possibly have it accepted, follow up with Suarez quickly, have Higuan deal done and ready to finalize if needed

seems strange to be putting everything in one basket

[The Big Chill]

How do clubs get away with tapping up like that? Is there no punishment for it?

[d_phaneuf]

I think in this case it was most likely just asking RM for permission to talk to the player to see if a deal was possible, before bidding if it wasn't

in terms of tapping up though, its so hard to prove, would need a paper trail or some type of proof (recorded conversation etc.)

the two people who could do that (the club tapping the player up, and the player) are the least likely to want it to come out

[d_phaneuf]

8m for Gervinho is a sensational piece of business for Arsenal though

[Fusebox]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

How do clubs get away with tapping up like that? Is there no punishment for it?

It is extremely hard to prove. Check out the Ashley Cole tap-up trial.

[d_phaneuf]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-transfer.html

lol madrid

Spurs are now convinced that Real do not have the money to buy Bale.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-transfer.html

lol madrid

Isn't this what people had been speculating even before the Bale saga? Aren't Madrid pretty much broke? They haven't even paid up for Modric yet.

[GirlySports]

Did they lose Pep's luggage for this game?

[Locke]

Hes just phoning it in now.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Isn't this what people had been speculating even before the Bale saga? Aren't Madrid pretty much broke? They haven't even paid up for Modric yet.

they have 590m in debt but there are some shady banks who will give them loans just to be involved with the club

they always liked to pay in installments, which makes no sense for Spurs here so I just don't see it happening

there was a story today about Coentrao going to Spurs as a makeweight for the remaining Modric payment that is owed