Aymeric Laporte

[Goater=Legend]

Christ. The flapping in here is unbelievable just because a player turned us down.

He's still a young lad and is happy where he is instead of packing everything up and moving to a different country and new surroundings.

 

[Marvin]

Bet Khaldoon feels like a bit of a wolly for stating our second signing was close. Must have been referring to this chap.

Wasn't that Bailey?

Been reading he was earmarked for left back. If that's accurate then no wonder he decided to stay. To be given the impression you're 3rd, 4th choice centre back isn't good. And if we want a left back, sign a left back. probably not a good idea to believe too much of what's in the press.

 

[Dax777]

He's a professional sportsman not a fan, if you've got any character and ambition you want to play at the highest level and compete for top prizes, the kid has shown a serious lack of ambition and has been badly advised and will regret his decision long term,loyalty may be an admirable trait but give me medals and silverware all day long.

Ok.

 

[BlueDeadHead]

I'm sure I heard that the release clause in Spain is only applicable if the player himself pays the fee himself. Also, if the buying club were to give the player the money to pay the fee, then that money is also taxable so the fee would be a lot higher than the release clause.

IMO, Bilbao are holding out for a specific figure which is higher than the old release clause. Out of respect Laporte will not activate his buyout clause and City are playing hardball and trying to lower the fee.

Bilbao getting Laporte to sign a new deal has just strengthened their hand in relation to selling Laporte by increasing the buy out clause, but I wouldn't be surprised if the original valuation has not changed and this is just a tactic to get us to pay up or leave it.

If we pay the fee then everyone is happy. If not then Bilbao keep their man and Laporte gets a pay rise.

That is my read on the situation.

 

[Cityisland]

Wasn't that Bailey?

Been reading he was earmarked for left back. If that's accurate then no wonder he decided to stay. To be given the impression you're 3rd, 4th choice centre back isn't good. And if we want a left back, sign a left back. probably not a good idea to believe too much of what's in the press.

Bailey stated it and the chairman nodded if memory serves.

 

[bluegaz13]

I think we have a new generation of fans who are becoming pretty arrogant or behave like spoilt kids who can't have everything their own way.
Every team and player have the right to choose who they sell or play or sign for........sure we can be disappointed that a transfer has fallen through........however we get the same predictable reactions...insult the player or club, question Tixi etc.
We are shopping at Harrods these days, the majority of players we are looking at are being chased by the top teams......theses deals are always going to be difficult to close...some people really do need to wise up !

 

[Lkzerinho]

Calling the PR brief when we fuck up Stones,

"The club have incredibly high aspirations for Denayer. Stones was only ever going to be his backup"

ill be honest this made me chuckle

 

[Rammy Blue]

Can't get too worked up about someone I've never seen play, c'est la vie.

What does "concern" me though is that once again we've invested a lot of time and energy into a player who has decided he didn't want to come, that does not reflect well on our policy and negotiations.

 

[TRUE BLUE NO1]

Laporte: "I've had a long time to think and choose the best option, and have come to the conclusion that Athletic is the best thing for me."

Great sales pitch from City.

Just my opinion but Like you, I feel we gave the lad too much time to think about his options and then the doubts started while all the time his current club played nurse and showed support during his injury. To me it just looks like we backed off to give him time to think and allowed his current club to jump in the drivers seat! I dont know what goes on behind closed doors but it does seem that far too often its taking months to get deals done...I know deals for big talent can sometimes take a while but when teams like Bayern can jump into a deal for a top young talent(Sanches) after they saw the rags were dragging their feet....I just dont see why we cant be more direct in negotiations ourselves...we step so carefully trying to get agents on our side and then the player and then sometimes months later we put in a official bid.....Txiki seems to have a pattern of doing business and sometimes it just doesnt work....oh well, lets hope for some positive news soon so we can put this behind us....

 

[I'm With Stupid]

Wasn't that Bailey?

Been reading he was earmarked for left back. If that's accurate then no wonder he decided to stay. To be given the impression you're 3rd, 4th choice centre back isn't good. And if we want a left back, sign a left back. probably not a good idea to believe too much of what's in the press.

But possibly left in a back 3, which is a bit different. I'd suggest that Pep wants players that are capable of playing in more than one position.