Ruben Dias - Benfica confirm sale to City

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BillyShears said:
The speed at which this has happened suggests it’s been in the making a bit longer than we realise.
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Does it? Or does it just mean we ran out of time fucking about negotiating for other players, Pep came back from quarantine pissed off that his targets weren't signed and with 13 fit first team players and the club saw a player with a €66m release clause who was there the whole time and available?

If the offer is 55m + Otamendi, we have not really saved anything worthwhile compared paying the €66m release clause 2 months ago and having him in the team now, with the full (reduced) preseason under his belt and already settled in Manchester.

Not a surprise that things move quickly when a club is desperately in need of money, predisposed to selling their best players eventually, and given an offer which amounts to paying the release clause but with the added benefit of not needing to find a replacement.
 
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domalino said:
Does it? Or does it just mean we ran out of time fucking about negotiating for other players, Pep came back from quarantine pissed off that his targets weren't signed and with 13 fit first team players and the club saw a player with a €66m release clause who was there the whole time and available for even less than that when Benfica missed CL qualificstion last week?

If the offer is 55m + Otamendi, we have not really saved anything worthwhile compared paying the €66m release clause 2 months ago and having him in the team now, with the full (reduced) preseason under his belt and already settled in Manchester.
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I agree. I think Pep is hugely pissed off at the moment, or at least has been since returning - look at his press conferences! He looks devoid of any enthusiasm.
 
domalino said:
Does it? Or does it just mean we ran out of time fucking about negotiating for other players, Pep came back from quarantine pissed off that his targets weren't signed and with 13 fit first team players and the club saw a player with a €66m release clause who was there the whole time and available?

If the offer is 55m + Otamendi, we have not really saved anything worthwhile compared paying the €66m release clause 2 months ago and having him in the team now, with the full (reduced) preseason under his belt and already settled in Manchester.

Not a surprise that things move quickly when a club is desperately in need of money, predisposed to selling their best players eventually, and given an offer which amounts to paying the release clause but with the added benefit of not needing to find a replacement.
Click to expand...
BillyShears said:
The speed at which this has happened suggests it’s been in the making a bit longer than we realise.
Click to expand...

Wasn’t it widely reported earlier this year that the release clause was increased from £66m to £88m?
 
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WallyA said:
Pep will likely stick with a back 4.

Mendy/Ake-----Laporte/Ake----Dias/Stones------Walker/Cancelo

Ake could get plenty of minutes pushing Mendy and Laporte to be better.

Also makes sense by easily making a back 3 with either

Ake LCB and Cancelo Wide Right or
Mendy Wide Left and Walker RCB

Lots of options here basically.
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And, after his showings at the end of last season, Cancelo is definitely a viable option at left-back too.
 
domalino said:
Does it? Or does it just mean we ran out of time fucking about negotiating for other players, Pep came back from quarantine pissed off that his targets weren't signed and with 13 fit first team players and the club saw a player with a €66m release clause who was there the whole time and available?

If the offer is 55m + Otamendi, we have not really saved anything worthwhile compared paying the €66m release clause 2 months ago and having him in the team now, with the full (reduced) preseason under his belt and already settled in Manchester.

Not a surprise that things move quickly when a club is desperately in need of money, predisposed to selling their best players eventually, and given an offer which amounts to paying the release clause but with the added benefit of not needing to find a replacement.
Click to expand...

Kounde was never a real target IMO. Same with Gimenez. For many many reasons.
 
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