John Stones

[GeorgeHeslop'sTackle.]

They get started on the graphics and stuff as soon as they are confident something will happen, it doesn't guarantee anything, but it's a decent indicator that things are moving in the right direction....

How long do they take to do, then Matty?

Wouldn't it be more economical to wait 'till everything was signed & sealed. I imagine it is quite an expensive process, if a transfer eventually falls through

 

[domalino]

we already saw how the media attacked Sterling even though he had a solid season. Stones could easily be City's new scapegoat especially if we pay 50m+.

It's all part of Pep's masterplan to take pressure off Sterling.

 

[Le Havre Oswald]

@mattyb drop me a pm when they start working on Bonucci or Aubameyang's graphics;D

Nice one

 

[cibaman]

Like I said before, it does make a difference because being a 40m defender or the most expensive defender in history is not the same.

Stones has had a tough season and he doesn't need another one. The media has a bias towards us and will destroy Stones for every mistake he makes and having a record fee on his head will only make him an easier target. You can be mentally strong but football players are human too and like it or not the media effects players. I think this is one of the main reasons City are haggling.

Many people overlook this and its completely understandable but we already saw how the media attacked Sterling even though he had a solid season. Stones could easily be City's new scapegoat especially if we pay 50m+.

Trevor Francis was on the radio yesterday, talking about Pogba (probably) becoming the first £100m player. Francis was very clear that being the first £1m player was a big deal for him. Said that when City signed Steve Daley for £1.5m it was a huge relief! Transfer fees do create pressure, especially if the player struggles early on.

 

[bulldogblue]

How long do they take to do, then Matty?

Wouldn't it be more economical to wait 'till everything was signed & sealed. I imagine it is quite an expensive process, if a transfer eventually falls through

Because everything is computerized it will involve very little expense to get to a certain stage.

 

[mattyb]

How long do they take to do, then Matty?

Wouldn't it be more economical to wait 'till everything was signed & sealed. I imagine it is quite an expensive process, if a transfer eventually falls through

In terms of time it's how longs a piece of string to be honest. All depends on the media work, photos, agancy availability, people on the job... So many variables go into it.

You're correct in assuming its expensive, it really is. Typically they will run an estimated risk analysis on the transfer before starting / commissioning the work.

They don't get many wrong in my experience, but it has happened where transfers have fallen through in the past. Not just at city, but at most clubs

 

[mattyb]

Because everything is computerized it will involve very little expense to get to a certain stage.

That's true to a certain extent, but if they use any contractors or outsource any of the work, they'd typically be paying a day rate for the labour

 

[ADegenerate]

In terms of time it's how longs a piece of string to be honest. All depends on the media work, photos, agancy availability, people on the job... So many variables go into it.

You're correct in assuming its expensive, it really is. Typically they will run an estimated risk analysis on the transfer before starting / commissioning the work.

They don't get many wrong in my experience, but it has happened where transfers have fallen through in the past. Not just at city, but at most clubs

Cheers mate. We really do appreciate all the info you share.

 

[TonyM]

@mattyb thanks for the insight. Interesting stuff. :-)

 

[Marvin]

This man gets it.

Im not sure why we are even talking about the fee. The market has gone mad. If pep wants him we pay what we think is correct or move on. If its 40m 50m and we win trophys with him then the fee will be forgotten

And yet reportedly the reason why this deal has not gone through is because we value him at £40m and EFC at £50m. You can't say in one sentence that "I am not sure why we are even talking about the fee", and in the next "we pay what we think is correct". That seems to me to be a contradiction.