What Effect would Rio Leaving Have on Our Ability to Sign New Players?

[bigtoga]

Sort of continuining my other thread this morning (Timing of LBO to Affect Transfers? (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=200726)), I started wondering what Rio's leaving would do for the club's image (in the eyes of prospective players).

Rio wants a ridiculous wage - no question - and United are really in a no-win situation. If we sign Rio, we're paying nearly 100,000 pounds a week for him - which means we have a lot less each week to pay for other players. if we don't sign Rio, we lose our best defender.

Here's my question: If we do not sign Rio to a new deal, will we lose a little bit of prestige?

If you only look on the surface of the matter, I think you would be swayed to say "Yes, united loses a bit of prestige." The Glazier takeover combined with the SU negative press has shown the world how United will not be able to spend the cash to support the top players.

If you dig deeper though, Rio is a ********ing defender - his wage demands are outrageous! He wants double want Ronaldo wants (120k/wk compared to 55k/wk according to some reports). You can talk about how United don't have money but if the pay Rio 100k/wk, they'll certainly not have the money. That would be like the Texas Rangers signing Alex Rodrigues (USA's Major League Baseball) several years ago. The Rangers gave him $25million a year but the entire rest of their staff earned about $20million. Of course, the team tanked and still have not recovered 5+ years later.

I say let the ********er go...

[dude8]

i feel that heinze is our best defender...
there have been many times this season that rio simply looks bored, kinda like he's phoning it in. if he doesn't want to be here--get the effff out.

100 a week is ridiculous.

[johno]

I'd be willing to let Rio go... not for free of course, but only if we got Chivu at the same time... ie, we sell Rio for 30M to Chelsea or whomever and then buy Chivu for 15 and buy Andrade for 8-10 and then we come out winners...

[NYCgeezer]

It's a tough one - I'd have to disagree with the Heinze comment. Rio is by far our strongest defender, and besides his pace and consistency, he is also a fantastic defensive leader. He runs our back line, and he is the reason we've had so many clean sheets. Then again, 100K a week is completely mental. So I don't know guys - whats more important?

[Vermont Red]

I like Rio but I think he could be more than adequately replaced if he was sold for 30MM. Plus, the player(s) purchased with the money would have a smaller wage bill than Rio's current demands.

If Rio is truly seeking 100,000+/week then he has (along with his agent), completely over-valued himself. He's not the best defender in the world, or in Europe and cases can be made that he's not the best defender in the EPL or the best English defender. If he really wants those wages then sell him.

[bigtoga]

The reports I've read are that he wants 120,000+/week - I was accoutning for a little negotiation to get it down to 100k+/week!

[Rewinder]

I dont think the Galacticos make 100k+ a week in wages. I read he was asking for 125k a weeek. No one will pay 30 million for him if theyre still going to have to pay 100k a week wages, and he is definately no beckham who will make all of that money back through merchandising etc. Youre gonna have to offload him lightly with those kind of wage demands, or he will end up leaving on a bosman.

[gazza]

If he is demanding 120k per, see ya. Sell him for 30 mil and move on, no one player is bigger than the club (see David Spice). The defense can still be solid without him and with that transfer fee a good keeper could be had for sure, plus some other players.

[ilv2]

IMO, if he keeps on pushing for such an obscene wage, he can go ******** himself. Did he somehow forget he managed to get paid for an entire eight months without having to do shite, for a mistake he made? He's fantastic (most of the time), and I'd love to keep him in the squad but 100,000 a week?

We can use the money to bring in some desperately needed replacements instead of dipping more into Redbeard's pot of debt.

[bigtoga]

Here's the evaluation of Terry by Mourinho:"If John Terry is the best central defender in the world - and for me he is - and he was on the market, he would cost a minimum of £50 million." Mourinho indicated. If every 10 years we produce a John Terry, the work of the academy is done. It is better to produce one John Terry than 20 ordinary players."Terry better than Rio? He certainly has had better results over the past two seasons. Is Terry worth $70k/week? No ********ing way...

[Crestofthestars]

Here's the evaluation of Terry by Mourinho:Terry better than Rio? He certainly has had better results over the past two seasons. Is Terry worth $70k/week? No ********ing way...

Are you telling me Terry doesn't deserve £35k/week? I'd imagine Robbie Savage is on £30k...Lampard is on £100k...

[Kavster]

I'd be willing to let Rio go... not for free of course, but only if we got Chivu at the same time... ie, we sell Rio for 30M to Chelsea or whomever and then buy Chivu for 15 and buy Andrade for 8-10 and then we come out winners...
Loving this idea, im a fan of Chivu and Andrade seems a solid option. Having said that, it seems quite improbable that all 3 transfers could be completed simultaneously. If we can, great! If not, im not sure we could manage until January to sign the other defender (whoever it may be), because if our defense is shaky until then, we might be too far behind in the title race...again. (Does that makes any sense?) I hope you see my point.

Also, i was under the impression that Rio was already being offered 100k per week, but he and Zahavi were holding out for 120k.

[JC7rox]

See, here's the thing with Rio. Why is he doing this? He claims to want to stay here in Manchester, but he doesn't want to sign what sounds like an already inflated contract. We, the fans, feel he owes it to the club because we stuck behind him when everything went awry for him. We even paid him while he did nothing but grow out his ridiculous looking afro. He should sign because of those 8 months, but everything is quite on the contrary.
Actually, it is because of those 8 months that he is doing this. Don't we all remember how we were leading the league when he got suspended, and then dropped faster than a Schwarzenegger film at the box office? He is using those 8 months against us, as a bargaining tool for his inflated ego. He is making himself seem irreplaceable, one of a kind, in order for Fergie, the Board, Glazer, whoever, to give in to his laughable wage demands.
I'm not saying that the club should sell him. I, personally, would sell if I had the power because he is just messing us around, but I don't want to completely jump the gun. This is all a little logical, and it seems to me like he is using those 8 months to his benefit. Actually, though, I agree with the statement about Heinze. I've seen him cover Rio quite a couple of times. Actually, in that last match against Chelsea, on the goal (i think it was the second) which Rio totally gifted them, I believe a different outcome would have come to pass if Gaby would have been there to help Rio out. IF Rio continues with these shenanigans, and if he is really expecting 125g's, we should cash in on him and inflate any type of transfer kitty we may or may not have. Hopefully, this is all tabloid trash and Rio is a lot more grateful than we are giving him credit for being.

[bigtoga]

Are you telling me Terry doesn't deserve £35k/week? I'd imagine Robbie Savage is on £30k...Lampard is on £100k...
??? Read what you quoted lol

And, as kavster said, Rio is reported to have refused the 100k/wk offer once already which just seems insane...

[johno]

Loving this idea, im a fan of Chivu and Andrade seems a solid option. Having said that, it seems quite improbable that all 3 transfers could be completed simultaneously. If we can, great! If not, im not sure we could manage until January to sign the other defender (whoever it may be), because if our defense is shaky until then, we might be too far behind in the title race...again. (Does that makes any sense?) I hope you see my point.

Also, i was under the impression that Rio was already being offered 100k per week, but he and Zahavi were holding out for 120k.

Yeah, but Chivu and Brown would not be worse than Rio and Brown imo...

[JN13]

A few months ago he was saying that he wanted to be the next United captain and now he is holding the club hostage when it comes to negotiations knowing full well that United cannot afford to let him leave on a Bosman. Last week after the FA Cup Final he was saying that he wanted to stay and win a lot of trophies with us but he is not showing that at all when it comes to signing his contract extension. After the 8 month ban that he had becauce of his own mistake, he should show a little bit more humility and accept the offer that is on the table.

You never know in Football as Rio could get injured in his next match and lose his market value and then the club can withdraw the offer if it is a bad injury.
It reminds me of Roy Carroll rejecting his United offer multiple times last fall and after a few horrible mistakes, Roy is now without a club and probably will never get that kind of offer again from any club.

[Crapids fan]

If Rio keeps this up he'll be out on his bum before he knows what hit him.
Fergie does'nt put up this kind of thing from anyone. Just ask the Spice boy if anyone is untouchable!

Rio needs to take the 100K he's been offered and then shut up and put up.

When he helps us win major honors singlehandedly he ask for more money.
He's allready the most expensive defender in the history of mankind, what else does he want?

[JC7rox]

Read an article today. One of those renegade shareholding ManU hooligans found Rio at a club and punched him in the face. Not that I wouldn't of done that, but I would have said, 'Sign the contract already!' after the fact. :D

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=334540&cc=5901
Not really what happened, but it sounds more interesting that way, don't it? I think it was in Sweden or Norway. Hey, maybe he had a really ugly dance-off with John Obi, and the kid just punched him in the face.
"I don't like you!"-imitating John Turturro in 'Secret Window'

[andrew neave]

If Chelsea sign Rio and pay him Top money, then win the Premier championship again where's your argument. Its no good anymore to pretend there is some moral victory for standing up against wage inflation. There are winners and losers and we lost this year Fact!!!!!