Erling Haaland

[Edwin Edwin]

We do tend to work the long game with players even if it isn't massively public all the time. I definitely raised an eyebrow when one of the Spurs / London writers said we'd approached him and the club last summer!

Yeah we do..the planning is so meticulous,at least 2 years ahead,and a lot of groundwork behind the scenes. No news/silence means a lot of work at City
And yes we did,it was a crisis for Spurs, particulary with the distorted season/
summer last year,that nearly went public

 

[r.soleofsalford]

Anything is a possibility. Haaland might sign for Chelsea and break his leg and never play again, Tuchel loses 5 games in a row and gets sacked.
Haaland is absolutely no guarantee of anything. Nothing in football is.

Fucking hell. People in here need to calm down a bit.

It's not as simple as paying more money. This isn't a car auction. The lad has a choice.

Ironic post of the week.

 

[Coatigan]

It was 100% Haaland before, now it’s 100% Kane. And your beginning to flip flop on Grealish, which you were claiming on every post up until days ago wouldn’t happen.

All other fluff aside, nature of the bloody beast that one. Literally, the transfer window in a nutshell, itks or otherwise, and even at top level of the buying/selling clubs.

I was 100% convinced Messi was coming here, the morning his dad challenged La Liga's interpretation of his contract, only for him to release an interview 40 minutes later claiming he was staying to avoid a court battle. It was 100% Koulibalyba lot of last summer, till.it was 100% Dias. Might ne nailed on for Graelish, till we swap Bernardo for Felix, who the fuck could possibly know!

The window has just opened today. Long long way to go, and there will be changes throughout. The ride is there to be enjoyed.

 

[BillyShears]

Yeah we do..the planning is so meticulous,at least 2 years ahead,and a lot of groundwork behind the scenes. No news/silence means a lot of work at City
And yes we did,it was a crisis for Spurs, particulary with the distorted season/
summer last year,that nearly went public

I think they also really don't like to work with players/agents who play everything out in public. If you look at our transfers in the last three or four years how many of them were drawn out publicly by us? Very few. Generally things get public after we bid and the selling club decide to go public with what we've bid. I can't think of many exceptions.

I don't necessarily agree with the entirety of our comms strategy with regards transfers but I understand why the roll the way they do at times.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

All other fluff aside, nature of the bloody beast that one. Literally, the transfer window in a nutshell, itks or otherwise, and even at top level of the buying/selling clubs.

I was 100% convinced Messi was coming here, the morning his dad challenged La Liga's interpretation of his contract, only for him to release an interview 40 minutes later claiming he was staying to avoid a court battle. It was 100% Koulibalyba lot of last summer, till.it was 100% Dias. Might ne nailed on for Graelish, till we swap Bernardo for Felix, who the fuck could possibly know!

The window has just opened today. Long long way to go, and there will be changes throughout. The ride is there to be enjoyed.

I`m more a little teacup


or a small small world kinda guy


Rather than space mountain

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

Correct,Not ITK but heard it in passing and didn't think much of it then that we started putting out the feelers to his camp between late 2019 and early last year and last summer we formally approached Spurs and HK was desperate to leave,for obvious reasons,nearly going public with it,a crisis but Mourinho convinced him to stay for one last shot,and we did it again in January this year with a view to this summer (and yes I know much of this is in the public domain now but heck)
So Kane has been in the working for 2 years? now as far as I know,,this isn't a plan B to Haaland or anyone..He's been THE one Pep has always wanted for a long time,not that his admiration for him could be more public,and the hierarchy would never 'force' Haaland or anyone else on him regardless

Agree with much of that. The ideal scenario the club want is two options, decent players that want to join us and you can put some downward pressure on both the fee and wage demand. I still think Haaland is No1 choice and Kane is the one that we go after to make Dortmund think harder about any cash on offer and the reverse is true with spurs as if nothing happens this summer the Haaland has his release clause next summer and that sets the price.

 

[BillyShears]

who the fuck could possibly know!

My guess. Txiki, Pep, Khaldoon, Omar, Ferran, and Simon Pearce. But obviously I'm just guessing ;)

 

[Deleted member 87819]

All other fluff aside, nature of the bloody beast that one. Literally, the transfer window in a nutshell, itks or otherwise, and even at top level of the buying/selling clubs.

I was 100% convinced Messi was coming here, the morning his dad challenged La Liga's interpretation of his contract, only for him to release an interview 40 minutes later claiming he was staying to avoid a court battle. It was 100% Koulibalyba lot of last summer, till.it was 100% Dias. Might ne nailed on for Graelish, till we swap Bernardo for Felix, who the fuck could possibly know!

The window has just opened today. Long long way to go, and there will be changes throughout. The ride is there to be enjoyed.

Absolutely, but it’s one thing to interpret things one way, which you were describing (I, for one, don’t recall seeing you express your points in absolutes), it’s a different one to believe your own absolutes and theories and even sources too much.

Now some want to push the “it was Kane all along” theory, which is a hilarious development

 

[Coatigan]

The way we operate in transfers is very solid. We had our fingers burnt in the Cook era and we have been far more professional since. We don't offer silly money we are in line with the other top clubs and we walk away when we need to. There is a long list of players that we have been close to signing and we drew a line in the sand and the deal fell away, many of those players are now playing badly for other PL clubs.

We will go about this in the same way - even if we have to miss out on a top target this summer and get a stop gap in. My guess is the strategy is as follows:

Haaland is the top target - we will have a massive deal ready to go but there will be a limit to it and it will be linked to his buy out next year. I think we wait to get Haaland next year if we get a solid commitment.

Kane is option 2. If Haaland goes some elsewhere or there is significant doubt over a deal next summer then we go for Kane. But there is a limit on what we pay and just because we might go for him does not mean we pay whatever Spurs want - its just as difficult as option 1.

Option 3 - If the first 2 dont come of then any number of other strikers could come into play. Anyone from Messi to Danny Ings.

I would agree with that guess.

I personally can see felix/messi this year and Haaland the next being more likely than Kane and Graelish both this year. Nothing at all to back that up other than my own speculative gut feeling on it.

 

[BillyShears]

I would agree with that guess.

I personally can see felix/messi this year and Haaland the next being more likely than Kane and Graelish both this year. Nothing at all to back that up other than my own speculative gut feeling on it.

If after all this they sign Messi I don't know whether I'll laugh, cry, or a bit of both!

 

[Coatigan]

Why are we talking about kane vs haaland in terms of "downgrade"? Kane is a better player than haaland right now, I hope that's clear to everyone.

It is not clear to me, and from what I can see quite a good few others. Neither immediately nor longer term. While costing broadly the same. That is pretty much the point, for me.

 

[Deleted member 87819]

While costing broadly the same

Depends on one’s understanding of cost

 

[Edwin Edwin]

I think they also really don't like to work with players/agents who play everything out in public. If you look at our transfers in the last three or four years how many of them were drawn out publicly by us? Very few. Generally things get public after we bid and the selling club decide to go public with what we've bid. I can't think of many exceptions.

I don't necessarily agree with the entirety of our comms strategy with regards transfers but I understand why the roll the way they do at times.

Precisely. Whether good or bad press,City just don't like their business out in the public,out of respect for other clubs and/or the process,and moreso since Pep arrived. They'll ofcourse want to set the narrative when it's convenient but generally it's always radio silence till the very end. I get that it that we the fans get 'frustrated' most times with this approach but I respect it

 

[BillyShears]

Precisely. Whether good or bad press,City just don't like their business out in the public,out of respect for other clubs and/or the process,and moreso since Pep arrived. They'll ofcourse want to set the narrative when it's convenient but generally it's always radio silence till the very end. I get that it that we the fans get 'frustrated' most times with this approach but I respect it

Me too. Plus I think it feeds into the type of personalities you end up signing. Everyone always goes on about how likeable the City squad is and how likeable some of our best players are.

 

[Coatigan]

My guess. Txiki, Pep, Khaldoon, Omar, Ferran, and Simon Pearce. But obviously I'm just guessing ;)

Even then, only at any given point in time. I would guess they are as prepared to shift to the next 100% transfer deal/target (or wait if they have to) as quickly as another 100% expected deal falls through. Be it isco, alvez, jorginho, koulibaly etc.

 

[Coatigan]

If after all this they sign Messi I don't know whether I'll laugh, cry, or a bit of both!

He is 100% nailed on to stay at Barcelona mate!

Yet it is less than 3 weeks till he is a free agent. During which he happens to be at a major tournament in south America.

 

[Deleted member 87819]

Precisely. Whether good or bad press,City just don't like their business out in the public,out of respect for other clubs and/or the process,and moreso since Pep arrived. They'll ofcourse want to set the narrative when it's convenient but generally it's always radio silence till the very end. I get that it that we the fans get 'frustrated' most times with this approach but I respect it

We can rule out Kane, then

 

[Edwin Edwin]

As for Haaland,I'm sorry,not being arrogant,just confident in the club,IF he goes to Chelsea or any other English club for that matter,he's just going to have to be content with playing second fiddle to us,at least domestically,for most,if not all,of his time there
Kane is Pep's choice,and ultimately the club's choice,and I get it that most want(ed) EH,but we live and die by our decisions,and this is no different..UTB

 

[BillyShears]

He is 100% nailed on to stay at Barcelona mate!

Yet it is less than 3 weeks till he is a free agent. During which he happens to be at a major tournament in south America.

I wonder if he does end up being out of contract for a certain amount of time before Barca tie him up again or whether they get it done earlier.

 

[r.soleofsalford]

As for Haaland,I'm sorry,not being arrogant,just confident in the club,IF he goes to Chelsea or any other English club for that matter,he's just going to have to be content with playing second fiddle to us,at least domestically,for most,if not all,of his time there
Kane is Pep's choice,and ultimately the club's choice,and I get it that most want(ed) EH,but we live and die by our decisions,and this is no different..UTB

Can you ask Pep next time he come`s round for a BBQ why he want Harry Kane over Haaland