Aymeric Laporte

[ADegenerate]

Players are human mate. He could genuinely have been wanting to come to us at some point of the discussions but until pen is put to paper all sorts of things can happen to change a players mind.

Touche to him. I actually agree with this. Seems a cult to me and this attachment to the cult got him in the end. Fair play to both. Honestly. Best of luck to both club and player.

 

[Bailey]

Some incredibly rawkish behaviour on here

This!

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

Some of our fanbase have got a right cheek having a go at a player who wants to remain at his club. Just because we come calling doesn't mean that a deal is in the bag. It's arrogance personified to think that way and even worse to have a go at a club who choose to run their club as they see fit.
As much as we like to think it, we aren't the be all and end all to the vast majority of footballers out there.

If we miss out on our first choice targets then we have to hope that the men being paid the big bucks have a plan B,C and D to fall back on. If not then we can all throw hissy fits but seeing as the transfer window hasn't even fucking opened yet I think some are going off a little premature.

So accurate - let's not morph into the mindset of the Rags/Dippers .

 

[ADegenerate]

Good luck Laporte!!!!! Best of luck fella! We happy now?

 

[BillyShears]

It makes a nice change to see loyalty in a player instead of the nonsense that surrounding our cake muncher.


Best of luck for the season

What you call loyalty I regard as a distinct lack of ambition. Any player who passes up the chance to work with Pep Guardiola to stay within their comfort zone at a club they've been at since they were a kid probably lacks the stones for the move in the first place. Respect to Bilbao they clearly have a serious hold on their players. Can't argue with that.

I'm a cynic and I suspect that Bilbao probably said "wait a year Barcelona will call". The size of the new buy out says it all.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I'm a cynic and I suspect that Bilbao probably said "wait a year Barcelona will call". The size of the new buy out says it all.

That was my first thought on hearing his 'intentions'

I think Barca have had their claws in and thats where i see him playing very soon - loyalty only extends so far when such ludicrous amounts of money are up for grabs,and too many fingers will be wanting their slice.

 

[Colin Bells Boots]

What you call loyalty I regard as a distinct lack of ambition. Any player who passes up the chance to work with Pep Guardiola to stay within their comfort zone at a club they've been at since they were a kid probably lacks the stones for the move in the first place. Respect to Bilbao they clearly have a serious hold on their players. Can't argue with that.

I'm a cynic and I suspect that Bilbao probably said "wait a year Barcelona will call". The size of the new buy out says it all.

And if you are right in your thoughts - we aren't Barcelona, Real or Bayern and therefore don't have their pulling power despite having Pep. Will be interesting to watch this one. Maybe the Basque pull too strong ?

 

[Phil1]

That was my first thought on hearing his 'intentions'

I think Barca have had their claws in and thats where i see him playing very soon - loyalty only extends so far when such ludicrous amounts of money are up for grabs,and too many fingers will be wanting their slice.

There's nothing wrong with him accepting a move to Barcelona though. It certainly doesn't mean a player lacks ambition as alluded to by Billy.

 

[Chom]

I think Urrutia, the Athletic president, can be persuasive. Rumour is when he was a player at the club he used to turn up to contract renewals with his own pen ready to sign.

 

[BillyShears]

That was my first thought on hearing his 'intentions'

I think Barca have had their claws in and thats where i see him playing very soon - loyalty only extends so far when such ludicrous amounts of money are up for grabs,and too many fingers will be wanting their slice.

I believe Mendes has a finger in the pie. Says it all really.

Anyway we move on.