Just posted in the LB thread, but here's the deal.
I like Cucurella and have wanted him, but whilst I can make some sense of 50m given the need and other economic factors I wrote about the other day, if you're going to overpay maybe it's better when for players that are either:
- English/HG registered eligible - We know this is a requirement for PL/CL registration, that finding high quality players to fit our level is difficult, and adding English players helps with creditibility/reputation that we are seeking to improve in England.
- More clearly seen as a either world class or a viewed as a better bet to become a future world class calibre talent.
Does Cucurella as a massive overpay fit this, also given the consequences we have seen for clubs that overpay too easily (that was us, and now seems to be Chelsea desperate to improve their back line)?
Gvardiol, for example, who can play as that hybrid LB/CB that Walker plays on the right is 100% seen as this type of player from what I understand and has been for longer.
I have a feeling this is what is going on with our transfer policy the past 2 summers, whilst still placing limits based on value.
If Kane was younger and Haaland was never going to be available, then maybe we pay what Levy wants. We passed and look what we got instead.
You can see why we are more ready to take this position because more and more players want to play for us than 5 years ago, and right now Spanish clubs are broke, and Bayern and Serie A can't hang.
