Yeah it was only once. The second time Florentino admitted he didn't want to sell but was forced to sell due to our economic conditions. Maybe the reason why the kid came off bitter... Florentino told him he had to go while he saw Lucas stay, then get an extension.
When people here were dreaming about his glorious return from Dortmund, it was common knowledge in the local media that was negotiating contract terms with them and moving out of their price range. Carvajal wanted to return to Madrid and told Leverkusen. Achraf was negotiating personal terms with multiple clubs and saying that he'll return to Madrid. Watzke had enough when he said "Achraf will go to a team that can pay more than we can", meanwhile people were still beaming that this guy is set on playing for us. I simply don't quite trust the player's statements really, and I didn't back then (which is funny because I was getting called out on them). That's the main reason why I don't want to hear anything from him. He made a career move every time and he should stick with it from now on. Hanging on to this "I want to play for Madrid" when you've had the chance to do so twice is some clown stuff.
He had a contract and was in no obligation to leave. The thing is he wanted a sweet sweet extention for that contract in order to stay. That he obviously got from PSG. Another Di Maria really. A guy that made a professional choice and masked it behind a sentimental one to not appear like a total pesetero.
Him and his agent has been playing a double game in the media throughout. I remember when his loan deal was about to end, his agent started taking about concerns of playing time at Madrid. And when he was sold to Inter, his agent was just deflecting blame and said "ask Zidane why Hakimi left". Basically he wanted a good contract and guarentees about playing time which club wasn't gonna give after Carva having one of the best seasons in 2019-20. And then Hakimi used Covid finances excuse when it was becoming clear that he'd be moving again this summer due to big contract offers which Inter won't match. Imo he left due to playing time as well as financial reasons. But him and his agent haven't been truthful and kept deflecting the blame to ZZ, club management etc. Basically a combination of the reasons why Di Maria and Odegaard left, but him and his agent played media game smartly unlike them.
Mino Raiola on @tuttosport frontpage: “Alessio Romagnoli could join Juventus as he’s out of contract in June - playing together with de Ligt is a possibility. But it’s not sure that Matthijs de Ligt will stay at Juventus…”. 🇳🇱 #transfers— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 18, 2021
Well, we were mocking at Barca renewing Messi every 18 months and then Ron was asking for a renewal in May 2017 after signing a contract extension in November 2016. As soon as PSG broke the market with Neymar and Messi used his contract situation to get 50 M contract at Barca, he wanted RM to pay 30 ME nett until he's 37. And turns out Messi deal played a huge role in sinking Barca financially..
I’m not all that fussed he’s gone. I’m probably in the minority but I don’t think he was that good. He was a good counter attack wing back, nothing more. Was not going ever going to be better than carva, and left a lot for his defensive ability. Let him rot in PSG, he’s not coming back here.
Ronaldo plays for Ronaldo first and for everybody else second. Thing is he never really pretended anything else, other than delivering statements that sell well.
cannot remember the last time a player was as overrated as de Ligt. Never seen anything special from him.
Ligt hype has slowed down considerably since he left Ajax. Don't see anyone sensible willing to pay 100 ME+ Juve will demand. Our maximum budget for a CB should be 50 ME like Militao deal. Kounde, Ligt etc are way overpriced. There will be better market opportunities on bosman or with one year left contracts which we should focus on.
(🌖) Mbappè believes the whistles from the PSG fans are orchestrated to pressure him to renew his contract, but this is the worst way to do that to him. He [Kylian] has already told his teammates that he thinks this idea was set up by the club. @abc_deportes #Transfers 🇫🇷— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) September 18, 2021
Despite my resentment of Bayern Munich; they have made quality purchases in Upamecano, Niklas Sule, and Tanguy Nianzou.
You're joking right? The guy lost his spot to an absolute post prime Jerome Boateng that was supposed to be a fourth option at Bayern. Guy has been in shambles for about a year now. Started with him arriving fat and out of shape and never recovering. Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick unhappy with Niklas Süle’s fitness and weight after international break Bayern were hoping to sell him before his final contract year but he was so hopelessly out of form and shape that zero offers came in for him, and the best he can hope for is an offer for a bit less than he's earning now. At 26 years old. He's fared well for Nagelsmann lately (they know each other from the past), but Bayern fans haven't forgotten the past 2 years. For me Süle is at best Nacho level. That's his peak. Tanguy is no factor yet.
I'm not sure how Ziyech hasn't kicked off well for Chelsea. He's talented but something's not adding up. Remember David Neres? He was a decent player but they were asking for a pretty coin for his level.
I mean we got great player in Camavinga but damn this "new Pogba". I hope i wont see him in Barca shirt...
I hope we see the old Pogba at Barca. Funn they got a new one when the old one isn't catching on the way people thought he would.
If Modric leaves next summer we will need a midfielder with creativity and workrate. Pogba is an elite playmaker but I am not sure our midfield is setup for his success, Gravenberch or Bellingham might be better options.
I still remember him daring and seemingly mocking Rodrygo to go for goal from a freekick in Rodrygos' first game for us in a preseason friendly we were losing, which Rodrygo then proceeded to score of course