We have had everything running so smooth this season that we have forgot what it feels like to take a punch, if this is true. As for the player if he has agreed with Pep that he wants to join and then does an about turn based on money when he would have been earning plenty anyway, then maybe his character is not one we want.
The only other thought is that he is concerned about being in a team where he will be rotated and wants as he has at Arsenal and Chile a guarantee he will play every minute. The downside for him is that the less rotation and rest he gets the more injuries and wear and tear he will have. This will ultimately reduce his ability to play at his best level for a long period.
As he is an intensive player he may feel he can only do that for a couple of years playing all the time and wants a huge contract to offset that. If he gets a 4yr contract on 400k a week and then loses his impact after a couple of years he is in a win/win situation
The only other thought is that he is concerned about being in a team where he will be rotated and wants as he has at Arsenal and Chile a guarantee he will play every minute. The downside for him is that the less rotation and rest he gets the more injuries and wear and tear he will have. This will ultimately reduce his ability to play at his best level for a long period.
As he is an intensive player he may feel he can only do that for a couple of years playing all the time and wants a huge contract to offset that. If he gets a 4yr contract on 400k a week and then loses his impact after a couple of years he is in a win/win situation