I'm extremely happy with this signing. However the way it's been reported that we were never ever going back for him considering we did is strange. I'm entitled to ask and I don't appreciate being told to move on and pretend it didn't happen. Thanks.
Yeah, it seems a bit strange. Here's my interpretation of Txiki's 'change of heart', using Sam Lee's tweets as a guide. Correct me if I'm wrong.
As I assume Guardiola has set the goal to complement Stones and Otamendi by
two CBs:
1) young, preferrably left-sided top talent to eventually replace Otamendi (let's call him
CB No.3)
2) reliable experienced reserve CB for cups and rotation purposes (
CB No.4).
Initially, the plan was to fill in
No.4 vacancy in Jan (hence the interest in Evans), and deal with a much more complicated
No.3 transfer next summer (Skriniar, Kimpembe, Upamecano, Umtiti were mentioned amongst potential candidates).
But after the Sanchez fiasco and realization that prices will soar up even higher in summer, during emergency Khaldoon/Pep/Soriano/Txiki meeting it was decided to work on key positions (
CB No.3 +
DM) immediately in Jan. Laporte is obviously No.3, and I'm not even sure he was the most desirable candidate - but the only one with release clause. It would be unrealistic to get the likes of Skriniar in winter window. That's how Txiki's 'change of heart' could be explained - he had no choice.
As for
CB No.4: IMO City's summer bid for Evans is still possible. Another option is Komps solving his health problems to some extent and performing this role next season (perhaps sharing it with Adarabioyo, Latibeaudiere and Eric Garcia).
So, If I'm right, Txiki has sacrificed his pride (and, possibly, quality of a new CB) to avoid another summer transfer saga. Looking at the state of market, I think it was a right decision.