Apparently we're making our 3rd bid for Ayala now. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=286829&cc=5901 I think I would have preferred a younger French defender - Mexes or Boumsong, or Van Buyten (well, he plays in France), but Ayala is certainly excellent. He's cup tied, but should help us out in the league, and at 30, he still has quite a few years left. This might be more idle speculation on the media's part, of course, but we've supposedly been after him for a while now. P.S. I do like the fact, btw, that we're negotiating transfer fees, and not just throwing money around like crazy. I'd rather not wildly overpay, like ManUtd usually do.
for example we signed Duff for 17 million, Sir Red Face cries too much money and then promptly buys Cristiano Ronaldo for 12.24 million pounds. I bet he wished he paid up the extra 5 million quid now eh? Over pay? under pay? Its all about getting value for money, and Duff was worth every penny. The step over kid? Still totally unproven, he might be better than Forlan one day.
Me too. I would have prefered a faster defender (and younger? yeah that too) as cover in CD. Roberto Ayala? Will we beat Manchester United in this transfer tug-of-war (there need is greater what with Rio and all), at least we'll drive the price UP
Indeed he's a good player. The fact that he is supposed to replace Desailly is of no surprise at all, however, what surprises me is the timing of it for one and the preference of the Desailly/Terry duo at the back. First i am not surprised that we could be after somebody that is cup tied as i'm sure Ranieri hopes that Desailly can hack the at most 5 remaining games in Europe.I am surprised that he is going for him at this stage though as Desailly recently signed a one year extension to his contract, which would have expired this summer. Perhaps Desailly has decided that the extra one year add on, whilst seeming a great idea last summer as he watched star after star arrive at the club and wished he was just a little younger to hang around and see how it all pans out, is now not such a good thing as his body is just not up to it anymore? Too many center halves. What of Gallas? Ranieri has shown, from earlier in the season untill his injury and recently with his come back, that he prefers Desailly to Gallas. Gallas is outstanding, easilly on a par with the declining Desailly. I pointed out before that i believe that Ranieri has never forgiven Gallas for his summer mouthing off about the club not being good enough for him with his ambitions, and, lets not fool ourselves here lads, if Abramovich hadn't of happened along young Billy would be plying his trade in Spain.He also mouthed off about Ranieri and his tactics and this i believe Ranieri has not forgotten.Remember, he came with a huge reputation of being able to deal with superstars and their egos regardless of public opinion. So, would Ayala be happy to rotate on the bench? I don't think he would have to worry about it as Gallas seems to have to lump that position.