Caicedo - Brighton reject Chelsea bid of 80m. Chelsea about to return with an improved offer.
Suddenly, "Someone" bids 80m. Fuck me, what a laugh.
99% chance it won't be accepted on face. The 1% is if Chelsea can't do the deal. If you know they are all in on the deal, they've moved money suggesting a 90+ bid, and the player is set, then it's much less than 1%. Second bidder could also limit the offer to 48 hours, or subject to withdrawl, to cover their arse.
It is all but a shot to nothing. In the <1% worst case scenario, the club get a player they could definitely use.
Best case scenario, it causes concern and complication for Chelsea. It forces them to spend the extra few mill.
You also likely get information about Chelsea and Brighton.
I'm almost positive it's City, just as with the Rice bid - because the one requirement is to actually have access to the money. Otherwise, it's a stupid game that could cost you your job and reputation.
Who else has that money? Saudi, I suppose.
I'm almost positive we are routinely fucking with rivals this year. The flip side of the move, apart from pressuring the buyer to pay top dollar, you are also saying to them..... ohh. We could buy him for that. I mean, we could easily justify that sort of midfielder. And we could fund the deal. But we aren't really bothered. You lot are tho. In fact, that's your entire summer, your budget, all plans, and you're going all in. On a player we don't rate that highly.
Classic poker psychology. Show you have the stack. You have the flexibility to move. Show you can read them and their opponent. And leave them with a touch of uncertainty over the value they are getting, just as they have to pay more and more for it. It undermines what should be their imminent and clear headline win, and denies them some of the psychological benefits.
