We Didn't Want Him Anyways - The Summer Transfer Thread: Episode V

seeing as man utd look to have enough strikers for the season... and i think defence wise we're solid... my only 2 issues are in midfield and goalkeeping... i wouldnt mind if we buy diego lopez (who i think is class) or sergio asenjo who looks like the next best thing... but i think ferguson might wait on ben foster one more year... and in midfield... sign a flare player.. costa, oezil, sanchez.. more central... Hargreaves to me is very dodgy because of his injuries... what if we sign a young black defensive midfielder on the cheap to cover for him while not distrubing the squad... or someone like rafa marquez.. would act as cover both in midfeld and defence. but i think if he leaves barca... he'll want first team football.... thoughts?

 

Yea, if we want a keeper, the best two keepers 23 and under are Adler and Neuer. Fact. We should move for them if we do for a goalkeeper.

 

Both have very bright futures and both are destined to be great. Either one would be an ideal purchase as the successor for Van der Saar.

 

Why haven't Bayren made a move for either of the up and coming German keepers?

 

Because Schalke are demanding an insanely high price for Neuer. Bayern see him as Kahn's natural successor, not Adler whose game I think is more refined, whereas I think Neuer has greater potential.

 

Neuer would be my choice and something like 12 m Euros for Kacar would be brilliant business (That is what they want I think).

 

Same story popped up last year, didnt it.

 

So is it true have we bought Kun Aguero for an unbelieveable sum?

 

I seriously doubt it, I dont think we are even interested spending on a big name.

 

I ********9ng love tranfers threadssssss

 

david silva or mata..... sexy football.....

 

i guess u must be gutted after owens confirmation...lol

 

If we are going for a goalkeeper, I would prefer someone like Diego Lopez who is ready to be 1st choice and still has many years left in him.

 

Eto has indicated he would rather play at united then city. Good Signing or waste of money?

 

I wouldn't break our wage structure for him. While he is arguably the best striker in the world at the moment; he has no resale value (not that prevented us from signing Berba), will be missing for the ACN and has suffered serious injuries in the past. And, is supposed to have a bad attitude though that might well be exaggerated and as a result of the continued racist abuse he gets.

 

This was the problem with signing Owen so early. Any top striker we go for now will want confirmation of being in the first team. We can't leave Rooney out. So that will leave Berbatov getting too few games and probably getting disillussioned (he's a confidence player) and Owen probably not getting too many chances to prove what he can or can't do. Unless we go for 3 up front, and none of the 4 play to their potential when pushed out wider (thats more suited to your Ronaldo's and Messi's). I say we spend the big money on midfield, and if Sir Alex really doesn't have faith in the kids and wants 4 experienced strikers to choose from, he looks for another player for under 18 mill who isn't going to complain about rotation.

 

I doubt we are after Etoo. Like I said yesterday I think our buying is over as regards strikers. If anything we're being set up so he can say he snubbed us when he signs for City.

 

I thought Man U had a transfer policy that meant they would not sign players over 26 for big bucks. Did not Fergie comment that Berbatov broke this rule but he would be the last one? Surely signing Eto'o would be against this policy?

 

We just signed a 29 year old.

That report of an U26 policy was unsubstantiated garbage.

 

When exactly did United say this? Some paper gossip as far as I know.

 

You guys have little need for him after the Owen signing. You only play with 1 out and out striker, and already have 2 established players, and two youngsters to fill that single spot.

It definitely sounds like he is preparing for his first Man city interview where he can position himself as a fan favorite from day 1. I would love to watch him see out his contract with Barca and then leave on a free next season. They can't really afford to bring in Villa and leave him on the bench.

 

The alleged policy is that we won't spend LARGE AMOUNTS of money on a player over 26, Owen was free so he would not break that policy.

 

Thee report by the guardian suggested that the policy was to not spend big on players who had little to no resale value on expiry of their contract. Owen doesn't fall in this category since he came on a free.

The report cited unnamed sources within united's upper echelons iirc, but you are right that it is still uncorroborated. The guardian are generally quite reliable with their leading sports articles though, and this one was leading their blog for ages. I don't think it's a bad guiding principle for the glazers, either.

 

That's not how I read the situation at all. Eto'o already turned down City's offer to make him the highest paid player in the world after Barca accepted a 25M bid. He turned down a megabucks offer to go play in Uzbekistan last year. It's clear that he has some semblance of desire to compete at the highest level for a team that can win things. He probably just wants a raise and a contract extension at Barca, and figured he could use City's interest to get it done. Barca called the bluff, because they'll get Villa if he leaves, but both parties know that the decision has to be made this summer so Eto'o doesn't leave on a free. The question that remains to be answered is if there are any other suitors besides City, and what the required balance of compensation and team competitiveness is for Eto'o.

 

I'm surprised there aren't more clubs courting him (Chelsea, and Milan come to mind since they are both in the market for a striker, and have the funds to make it possible).