And so it begins...

[Ric]

Many have already said it......

And I agree.

I'd be reluctant to let Nastasic leave, unless we need the fee to fund a deal elsewhere this window. If it's purely for quota purposes I'd prefer him (or Rekik) to go on loan for the season.

He showed enough in his first season to not be written off yet. He's still young, and struggled with injury last year. In addition Demichelis probably only has one more season in him at the top level, although that would leave us with three left sided centre halves (assuming Mangala signs), which isn't ideal admittedly.

How many games would you expect him to play next year if he were to stay? I don't really see a loan move being of any benefit to either party.

I can't see us keeping both Nastasic and Rekik in the first team squad next season, but a loan move would allow us to hedge our bets. Nastasic could get regular football back in Serie A as I imagine there'd be no shortage of suitors, and we could assess Rekik's development more closely.

Unless we need the money for another deal then I don't really see the benefit in selling this summer. It's a decision (between Rekik and Nastasic) that could be put on hold for twelve months when we're better placed to make a judgement.

 

[johnmc]

I'll say it. I'd be prepared to let Nastasic go if we got a £15m bid. We have Kompany and Mangala if that's as close as we think as first picks. Get another year out of Demicellas who is likely to be the first back up and we have Rekik who will want games if he is back in the fold. If we don't sell him now he won't get many games and his value will only go down.

Plus on last seasons form I'd say he needs to be a regular. Coming in and out doesn't suit him

Not being snide, genuine question: when you play this scenario out, what happens next summer when Demichelis sees out his contract and we only have 3 CB's? I like Denayer, and hope he's a first-team player in 2-3 years, but I don't think anyone is under the impression he'll be ready to step up next year without any competitive league football (from a loan spell or from cup games) under his belt. So are we just going to be splashing out millions again, in a market where £20m gets you Lovren?

I'm open minded, and trust in my betters, but I'm still confused why we'd be selling a player who is ahead of where Kompany, Benatia, T. Silva, etc. were at the same age. Everyone agrees with that, right? No matter what faults you think Nasty may have, you'd agree that he's ahead of where the aforementioned world-class CB's were in their progression at the same age? I personally feel like loaning Rekik for one more season -- to a better league than the Eredivisie -- and playing out our season with Kompany, Mangala (knock on wood), Demichelis, and Nasty does the job. And when Martin leaves us, Rekik returns to the fold that much better.

I know what your saying but it's hard for any team to have top quality players who aren't playing every game. We bought Sagna to be understudy to Zabba for example. He's 30+ and getting his last big contract. Nastasic is trying to make his name and to do that he will want more games than a Kompany Mangala partnership with Demicellas as first reserve will give him. Name another club with 3 centre halves you value at £15m or above. Chelsea had Luiz Cahill and Terry last year and were the best defence. Terry was happy as a 30 odd year old to get plenty of games.

Begrudgingly this is where Taggart did amazingly well. Players like O Shea and Wes Brown were happy with there 20 games a season. They were players in the £5-10m bracket who know they will never be first choice but can be relied upon and also happy with their game time. They were never players who would command £15m +. If we can get that for Nastasic I'd take it as he will never be a first choice in my opinion. And I don't think he would be happy with being 4th or even 5th choice.

In answer to your question re when Demicellas contract end well then we go and get another similar player. Now I'm not suggesting I'd want either player at city, but for example purposes, Ashley Cole (not centre half granted) and Camel gob have just been taken on frees. There are always decent players that can give a couple of years service as back available on frees. And hopefully we will see more academy prospects as you have alluded to.

 

[fbloke]

Has anything other than hypothesising actually begun then?

 

[nktakm]

I'll say it. I'd be prepared to let Nastasic go if we got a £15m bid. We have Kompany and Mangala if that's as close as we think as first picks. Get another year out of Demicellas who is likely to be the first back up and we have Rekik who will want games if he is back in the fold. If we don't sell him now he won't get many games and his value will only go down.

Plus on last seasons form I'd say he needs to be a regular. Coming in and out doesn't suit him

Not being snide, genuine question: when you play this scenario out, what happens next summer when Demichelis sees out his contract and we only have 3 CB's? I like Denayer, and hope he's a first-team player in 2-3 years, but I don't think anyone is under the impression he'll be ready to step up next year without any competitive league football (from a loan spell or from cup games) under his belt. So are we just going to be splashing out millions again, in a market where £20m gets you Lovren?

I'm open minded, and trust in my betters, but I'm still confused why we'd be selling a player who is ahead of where Kompany, Benatia, T. Silva, etc. were at the same age. Everyone agrees with that, right? No matter what faults you think Nasty may have, you'd agree that he's ahead of where the aforementioned world-class CB's were in their progression at the same age? I personally feel like loaning Rekik for one more season -- to a better league than the Eredivisie -- and playing out our season with Kompany, Mangala (knock on wood), Demichelis, and Nasty does the job. And when Martin leaves us, Rekik returns to the fold that much better.

I know what your saying but it's hard for any team to have top quality players who aren't playing every game. We bought Sagna to be understudy to Zabba for example. He's 30+ and getting his last big contract. Nastasic is trying to make his name and to do that he will want more games than a Kompany Mangala partnership with Demicellas as first reserve will give him. Name another club with 3 centre halves you value at £15m or above. Chelsea had Luiz Cahill and Terry last year and were the best defence. Terry was happy as a 30 odd year old to get plenty of games.

Begrudgingly this is where Taggart did amazingly well. Players like O Shea and Wes Brown were happy with there 20 games a season. They were players in the £5-10m bracket who know they will never be first choice but can be relied upon and also happy with their game time. They were never players who would command £15m +. If we can get that for Nastasic I'd take it as he will never be a first choice in my opinion. And I don't think he would be happy with being 4th or even 5th choice.

In answer to your question re when Demicellas contract end well then we go and get another similar player. Now I'm not suggesting I'd want either player at city, but for example purposes, Ashley Cole (not centre half granted) and Camel gob have just been taken on frees. There are always decent players that can give a couple of years service as back available on frees. And hopefully we will see more academy prospects as you have alluded to.

Madrid: Ramos, Pepe, Varane.
Arse: Mertesacker, Koscielny, Vermaelen.

and tentatively Bayern and Dortmund as well.
Barca has two ~15m centre halves in Pique and Mascherano and are desperate for more. Aren't they?

 

[richards30]

Any new info or developments tolm?

 

[richards30]

Any new info or developments tolm?

He said yesterday it's Pm,s from now on , luckily I'm one of the ones that get them

It's gonna be good

That's all we can say

Sorry

Even though you wear brightly coloured pants and are a cu*t? (Sorry corky! ) ;-)

 

[FantasyIreland]

SOUTHAMPTON boss Ronald Koeman is eyeing Manchester City frontman John Guidetti

The Swede striker was a success under Koeman when he played for him on loan at Feyenoord.

Guidetti, 22, scored an impressive 20 goals in just 23 games for the Eredivisie club.

And the new Saints boss is now armed with a major transfer kitty after the South Coast club banked £57million following the sales of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert.

So far he has spent £18m of that on Serbian winger Dusan Tadic, 25, and striker Graziano Pelle, 29.

Both were recruited from Holland by Dutch legend Koeman – Tadic moving from FC Twente and Italian Pelle from Feyenoord.

Former City boss and fellow Swede Sven Goran Eriksson spotted Guidetti’s talent and signed him for the Blues when the player was just 16 in 2008.

But the promising youngster has gone out on loan every season since then to various clubs including Swedish outfit Bromma, Premier League new boys Burnley and Feyenoord.

And even though Guidetti has never made a Premier League appearance for the Blues, the champions value him at £6m.

After 18 months struggling with injury and illness, the striker went on loan again last season to Stoke.


Meanwhile, City bosses will also consider offers of £15m for central defender Matija Nastasic, 21, with Italian clubs Inter Milan and Roma both interested in the Serb who has failed to hold down a first-team slot.

City have promoted Dutch academy product Karim Rekik, 19, to the first-team squad, The centre-back, who also signed from Feyenoord in 2011, is classed as a home-grown player for squad rules purposes.

Club bosses are also wrapping up the £32m signing of Porto centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, 23.

The Daily Star Sunday revealed last week that the French international had arrived in Manchester for a medical.

Meanwhile, midfielder James Milner, 28, is seeking assurances over his future at The Etihad, as he enters the final year of his contract.

Milner, who played for England in their final World Cup game against Costa Rica, wants more game time.

A host of top-flight clubs including Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool are interested in the player who wants guarantees about the extent of his involvement before signing any new deal.

 

[Big Dave Watson]

Any new info or developments tolm?

He said yesterday it's Pm,s from now on , luckily I'm one of the ones that get them

It's gonna be good

That's all we can say

Sorry

Really? Where does he say this?

 

[Deleted member 58619]

Liverpool make transfer move for Manchester City benchwarmer James Milner

<a class="postlink" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/liverpool-make-transfer-move-manchester-3884592#ixzz37xLR9QZW" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... z37xLR9QZW</a>
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England midfielder is fed up with being a bit-part player for the champions and Kop boss Rodgers' approach has brought an encouraging response

Liverpool are ready to rescue James Milner from his Manchester City misery – as Kop boss Brendan Rodgers prepares to take his summer spending through the £100million barrier, write Tom Hopkinson and Neil Moxley in the Sunday People.

Rodgers, who is set to add QPR's France striker Loic Remy to his list of summer purchases, has made tentative inquires about City outcast Milner – and been encouraged by the response.

Champions City are ready to dangle a new four-year deal, but Milner is fed up being a bit-part player after just 11 Premier League starts last season.

Everton and Arsenal are also in the hunt for the midfielder, and his old club Aston Villa are keen, but the Kop club are favourites should the 28-year-old decide to quit the Etihad bench.

The pursuit of the England man shows Rodgers’ intent to turn Liverpool into regular title challengers, despite departure of Luis Suarez.

The Kop chief has activated an £8.5m release clause in 27-year-old Remy’s QPR contract and the player – who spent last season on loan at Newcastle – will tomorrow fly to the USA where Liverpool are on their pre-season tour.

Southampton defender Dejan Lovren is set to switch to Anfield in a £20m deal as soon as new Saints boss Ronald Koeman can find a replacement.

And Rodgers also has his sights on Fiorentina keeper Neto, after talks over Swansea stopper Michel Vorm collapsed.

Neto has a year left on his contract and would provide stiff competition for Simon Mignolet, whose performances dipped towards the end of last season.

We shouldbe looking for 30million for Milner

 

[Big Dave Watson]

He said yesterday it's Pm,s from now on , luckily I'm one of the ones that get them

It's gonna be good

That's all we can say

Sorry

Really? Where does he say this?

Eeerm by pm

Eeerm, so he didn't actually announce it to the board then, only PM'd random people. Nice one.