Declan Rice

[halfcenturyup]

Yes, that part of it sounds like someone who's smoking something special.

Edit: she's anything but stupid, actually, guys. She has a first-class law degree, and has been involved in legal negotiations on behalf of footballers. She just must have had an absolute brainfart, or been consuming some substance that she couldn't handle just before going on air.

So she is a lawyer? That explains everything. What a tosser.

 

[bluenova]

she also said that its something she did in a previous position she had held (cant remember the club). Not the greatest of thing to admit to

It's also probably just a reflection of the financial level of the women's game.

Clearly Pep isn't going to ask our board to sanction a made up 100m deal just to help Arteta, but it wouldn't surprise me if it happened in the past, and still does further down the pyramid, where it's a lot more informal, and managers deal directly with agents.

You can see some Harry Redknapp type in League One complaining to a manager mate that his directors are dragging their feet on a transfer. The other manager just needs a quick call to the players agent to ask if he's still available, and before you know it that agent has a bit of leverage, and the original manager's directors get nervous and do the deal. If anyone even asks about it, it's just an "informal chat". I expect it used to happen all the time, and probably still does away from the glare of the Premier League.

 

[BlueRockape]

I wonder what Rice wanted City or arsenal it seems as if he had no choice just go to the highest bidder .
If he had a choice surely it must have been arsenal a player now a days goes to the club he wants within reason.
Saying that it does look like we have been used to bump up the price

 

[richards30]

Full focus on the Gvardiol deal then

 

[BillyShears]

There is no downside whatsoever in keeping Bernardo for 1/2 seasons. The lad has shown nothing but the upmost professionalism. Ideally we buy one more midfielder to give them time to bed in. The club has managed the squad very well and that is reflected both financially and the trophies delivered.

No matter how much we try to downplay it. Once pep goes we will need to accept a bit of upheaval.

There's an enormous downside to keeping him for 2 years. It is self evident. In 2 years he'll leave on a free the same year Pep's contract expires.

I appreciate that the club have managed the squad well, but a cornerstone of that success has been Pep. He has consistently worked small miracles by making players multifunctional and getting the best out of them in positions that aren't natural to them.

All I'm saying is that you have to prepare for life after Pep if you think he'll go in 2 years (which I think he will). You can't sleepwalk into that summer because the other side of that hill won't just be "a bit of upheaval" - it'll be one of the most difficult transitions in the history of the football club.

Again, none of this is a criticism of the club or of Pep. As I said earlier, if we keep Bernardo, I think we will be fine with Kovacic replacing Gundo. But I personally think selling Bernardo this summer is ripping off a plaster which needs ripping off and addressing the underlying issue.

 

[failsworthblueboy]

move phil central and go big on a winger?

We have really good wingers in Mahrez, Silva and Jack if Phil ain’t central he can play wide. I think Oscar Bobb will be our back up.
Who are you thinking of?

 

[Bluearmy]

Absolutely none whatsoever. Don’t understand what City are doing. It was always going to cost this much to get Rice.

Forced the Arse to over pay both in transfer fee’s and likely wages also, not the first time we've done this to one of our rivals…

Ronaldo/Maguire/Fred/Sanchez/Rice off the top of my head, probably others!!!

 

[RobinHood]

100m for a good midfielder, far from great with 1 year left on his contract. Seems madness to me.

Embarrassment.

 

[Chiefmcfc]

I’m about all in now that our bid for Rice was no more than a PR stunt, with some caveat’s. The caveat being if they accepted $90m we do it, but everyone knew that wasn’t happening.

 

[Chippy_boy]

I wonder if United will come in with a silly bid anytime soon?

No, Rice isn't old and past it.