With agent fees, Hazard was more than that. Also, we're getting ready to pay more for Alex Sandro - we see how the market has moved.
I think the board was preparing to sanction a cash injection to fund Higuain's transfer if Pogba had decided to stay, but the point was moot when he pushed for the move to Man U. Either way, all of it was batshit crazy.
My thoughts as well. We might have been interested in Lukaku, but only for a certain amount and not the fee Everton wanted. We'll never know for sure of course.
Jose gets Lukaku and Pep looks like getting Sanchez. As managers they have opted for known quantities and low risk and high cost purchases. Both decent players and proven in the Prem. Manchester is playing it safe. Says a lot really. Conte has ideas and I am not always sure what they are, but he has them and they seem to be working out quite well for us. Conte is at the poker table and as a club we do have money. We do need to bring the players in though. hopefully the Costa vs. Conte situation can be resolved - at least for another season. And Why would we pay 70mil+ for Lukaku when we have Michy? Batsman is faster and more skillful and has greater potential imho.
We have been penny pinching the past few years. I will believe we have money when we actually spend it. We keep talking big fees for players but nothing materializes.
Probably has something to do with funding the stadium build. Also Conte has said that he doesn't believe in paying the fees being asked for certain players. There is always an alternative, just a matter how much of a drop off is that alternative. (Moses & Alonso)
Is there though? The prices today are nothing compared to 10 years ago. I'm not opposed to paying them, but Lukaku isn't worth £75m. Morata isn't worth £80m. Torres wasn't worth £50m. We don't have the financial clout you guys have. Roman does, but he isn't even close to as rich as he was a decade ago so he can't afford to pump his funds in anymore. Chelsea started this mess. We've been priced out as it currently looks. That could very well change if we spend money on Morata being suggested or Sandro. I doubt we will though. It just doesn't fit our current MO. I am also willing to bet you lot went in for Lukaku because we were in for him and Jose gazumped us for obvious reasons. I liked his post for the Michy comment because I really believe in him and think he has a higher ceiling than Lukaku. Likaku might score more goals, but I feel Batshuayi will be a far more polished all around forward.
It is fair to believe in Michy but Chelsea publicly did match the Lukaku bid. I read the "agent fees" comment the same way I read it when United used to leak it in the past for Hazard/Benzema.
Fair point on agent fees. I don't have the slightest inkling of how they work. I also think our stadium project is a major hindrance.
Jose sold Lukaku to Everton and he clearly did not rate him at the time. Also, in his heart of hearts [that is if Jose does indeed have a heart] Jose would prefer to have Costa than Lukaku. We all know it.
Kinda shocked. Not torn up but a bit mind blown we could lose out to United on Lukaku of all players. I joked about it a month ago but there is an enormous chance this Costa shit is a bunch of hot air and he will be our starting striker again. Not ideal but... who really knows.
Costa staying and motivated is the best case scenario for Chelsea, he is a level above Lukaku and Morata.
Meanwhile, Juve have raised their price again for Alex Sandro supposedly. When will we learn with Italian clubs? We have a frustrating tendency to stay pat after winning seasons. It's weird.