Transfer Talk #3: More Forwards, Less Midfielders, No Defenders

Sky Sports News ‏@SkySportsNews 2m
Sky sources: Manchester United to make £35m offer for Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas #SSN​

 

Why don't they offer 37M for Iniesta if they need a midfielder while they're at it?

 

I agree with most of ilovefootball:

But I would cut Tito a little bit more slack, his health didn't help the situation any last season..

It may be better to find a replacement for his and barca sake.

 

No, especially considering other teams are still trying to scoop un players that came from la Masia.

 

Manchester are desperate after they lost Thiago. They've been needing an AM for a long time.

 

imo ManU is trying the impossible while there is an obvious easier route to go: after Thiago, Barca's quality AMs aren't moving. But with a new coach in Bayern who just brought in another AM, they should try to sign a Bayern midfielder.

 

Official: Rafinha on loan to Celta de Vigo

 

What's that old saying about hindsight and 20/20?
Tito was Guardiola's right hand man and was appointed at the recommendation of Pep. At the time I thought it was a no-brainer that Tito should be given the opportunity and I feel he should be allowed to continue. He signed a two-year deal and won La Liga at a canter. Letting him see out his contract is the least he should be given.
The only other names I remember being mentioned in this forum were Bielsa and Luis Enrique. It looks like you didn't comment at the time who you felt should have taken over so I'll ask you now, who do you think should replace Tito?
And who did you want for president? Most everyone here wanted Rosell.
I never felt comfortable with Rosell and went on record hoping Augustin Benedito would get elected even though I knew he had a snowball's chance in hell of winning.

 

Apparently it's €30 million or £25 million .

Things just getting worse by the flamin' day .

 

I don't think things are getting worse, I mean ManU can offer that if they want and obviously we just insta-turn it down. I don't think Cesc should be an untouchable, but at this point, he practically is that (unless we get stupid money and can be 100% sure of signing a deal with a player who'd be an upgrade from Cesc in that position - tbh, can't see that happening).

Weird offer from ManU anyway. Can't expect them to believe this works, and can't think they think Barca is the club to sign starter-like AMs from now.

 

It would only be an issue if that kind of bid was actually accepted.

There is no way that Barcelona would agree to that. What is surprising is that Man Utd would even put a lowball offer. It has to be a smokescreen for something else, they can't realistically expect to pry away Cesc.

 

I meant worse in the sense that the offer may upset or disrupt Cesc / the players / and US....

 

I dunno. I mean, a low-ball offer on Cesc from ManU is unlikely to do any notable damage to anything, I'd guess.

If there's a reason (other than Thiago to Bayern) to feel pessimistic concerning this transfer period, it's the still-not-solved defence.

 

Given the general cordial relations between the clubs, I doubt United have any intent to disrupt.

95%, it is just a smokescreen to appease the fans they tried getting someone technical before we end up signing a hack like Fellaini.

 

The only reason I think Man Utd did this (unless there is some behind-the-scenes message from Cesc) is that it is based on the possibility that everyone at Barça is so unsettled and ready to jump ship and the want to get in first to pick off one of the top targets. Considering Cesc was just vacationing with Messi and at Xavi's wedding and that one of his main rivals for playing time just left, I highly doubt he wants to leave.

Some of the chicken littles on this board need to relax. If we sign a high-quality CB, we are in pretty damn good shape for this coming season on paper.

 

Good point about the jersey number shuffle. I think there was some psychological element to it. Going to Bayern to be back with Pep despite the crowded midfield just screams it (even though Cesc came during his Pep's time in charge).

I remember Isco getting all the press during the Euro U-21s and then the hat trick by Thiago in the final changed the story over night. That and De Gea signing a ball "see you soon in Manchester" and Man Utd fan boys jizzing over a potential midfielder signing like we jizz over a potential CB signing. It is amazing how much that U-21 midfield got in transfer fees this summer.

Also I read something in the Guardian related to the Cesc offer that said Moyes ended up backing off the Thiago pursuit since he didn't think he'd be tough enough for the Prem.

And I read something in Marca that said that Tito never had faith in Thiago and knew about the 18 million/90 million claus. Implied that Pep did us a favor by taking him off our hands. Funny how these stories get spun...

 

Thiago Silva has definately closed the doors on a possible move to Barcelona.
"I plan to honor my contract at PSG"

Also PSG is most likely to get Marquinhos accoriding to some reports. I honestly have no idea who will we get.

 

I don't mean to say we'll sign T. Silva, only that what else could he say? If he stays, he says this. If he is unsure about it, he says this. If he is leaving (but it's not finalized), he says this.

 

@barcastuff: Vilanova: "The idea for the rest of the transfer window is that we sign another centre back and that Dos Santos and Afellay leave on loan."