So the vultures are still circling?
CIty are not a squad that needed much work going into this transfer window. It was obvious we had 4 areas of weakness. 1 of which was a starting 11 position to line up next to Kompany for the long term, the others were to strengthen the squad with quality. That has been done. Sagna, Fernando, Willy and Mangala (albeit not announced yet). So thats the primary objective complete. This transfer window has also thrown up some hurdles for us too. Not withstanding the transfer budget restrictions, we have lost 1 english player, with another 2 - 3 english players probably going too. This has serious knock on effect on how we can shape our PL and CL quota's.
When the primary work was identified, other transfers and opportunities would of course been discussed and agreed that if something out of the blue was to come along that would be hugely beneficial to the club, then it would be looked into but not at the expense of the business we HAD to do.
I personally think Tolmie was spot on with the work that was done in looking at possibilites re Isco and Barkley. I personally think behind closed door agreements have been laid out with Everton for some kind of first refusal next summer for Barkley as we don't have the wiggle room financially this term. As for Isco, we know we tried to land him last season and Real pipped us. I think we were apporoached by either his agent and/or RM but as discussions progressed, they were not terms that favoured us and as it would of been a luxury addition, we cooled. I'm not saying this is dead though. because as we all know, deals can be offered when the window draws to a close. And, if we have off loaded the players we have identified as permitted to be off loaded, then theres always a possibility.
Transfer discussions always have curve balls and take weird meandering paths. TH often gets notice of intent at certain moments in time, and rightly or wrongly* decides to divulge snippets to us here (either by clues and cryptic songs or just less subtle info). When wind can turn and deals/discussions can progress or breakdown due to things non of us have party to the nitty gritty details.
I always believe the info Tolmie posts on here is told in good faith and not as a WUM. I do not get silly and go putting money on this info or go round being a pseudo ITKer to my mates in the pub. I keep it to myself, and see if it comes off. If it doesn't, ce la vie! I don't come on here calling him out and being a keyboard warrior. I understand things can change.
So just because we haven't spent over 100mil this season or brought in all the players we are linked with, doesn't give people the right to attack other blues on here
(* I say wrongly only in the context that why he bothers sometimes with the abuse he gets is admirable)