Gorton Gruff said:Looks like we paid £22 million with a further £2 million after a certain number of games played (source BBC, presumably the add on in case his knee problem recurrs). Our market valuation of him was £15 million (which was the initial bid).
We have paid the extra £7 million because he was identified as the next link in the chain (after Terry bid failled) to partner Toure. We were prepared to pay that rather than try to buy the next player on the list, Upson for £12 million (or up to £15 million). Upson is 30, even riskier injury wise and less versatile.
Now having got the players we wanted I assume we will attempt to build up some long term partnerships and maintain compeitive pressure on each player (which is why Onouha was given extended contract and why I hope we keep Dunne - in other words if Toure or Lescott drop their standard of play both Onouha and Dunne, and Kompany will be breathing down their necks).
Next phase: are their potentially any better centre backs out there who are younger? (Liverpool found two gems in Agger and Skrtyl), are there any under 22's to develop for the future? (Jack Rodwell looks like a star in the making, Mancienne shone at under 21's), are their players in our extended ex-academy squad who can compete for first team squad / bench place? (Ben Mee, Dedryk Boyata).
There are certainly players like Pedro Geromel (23) from Cologne and Benedikt Howedes (21) from Schalke 04 who are arguably the best centre-halves in Bundesliga together with Per Mertesacker (25) from Bremen.