Marc Cucurella

[samuelyeboah]

If we weren't willing to pay close to their asking price, which was established 6 weeks ago, why wait until the eve of the season to walk away?

We are now without a left back for the first few games of the season, at least.

This is really poor from us.

how long are we going to pretend cancelo isn't a left back

 

[kupest]

I think the fee might be north of 50 million as well. We move on, Brighton stuck to their guns and its only fair. Hopefully we can sign someone asap, not ideal to be signing a LB so late.

 

[waspish]

Remember the lescot saga did he put in a transfer request? Remember he had to go and play with the youth team when the season started!

Cucurella can make is as difficult as he wants till the window shuts but will we move on next week because we really do need a left back and we unwilling to wait to see if Brighton do buckle with a 3 or 4 days to go in the transfer window…

 

[cjn]

I think it’s more the principle than the actual amount. It could adversely affect us in future negotiations if selling clubs know we’ll fold eventually.

I guess so, but we're really not talking about that much movement. No more than we came up to meet the asking prices on Mendy and Walker in fact.

It's also just reality, we really are short at the position after selling Zinchenko and have games to play. We've left ourselves little leverage.

 

[alexmcity]

how long are we going to pretend cancelo isn't a left back

it's getting embarassing now

 

[waspish]

Hilarious from master businessman Bloom to send this message out to future targets.

Somebody hasn’t taken the transfer request well…

Oh and now it’s 50m++

 

[Lord of the Ings]

Time to delete the thread

 

[TheThirdDeano]

40mil and 5/7.5 on add ons gets the deal done. Mark my words!

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

No regrets about Zin. Zin wanted to go, and he wanted to go then. Arsenal wanted him then, so that he'd be involved in the pre-season. It's part of the honourable way we deal with our players, especially when they've given good and faithful service, and I for one thoroughly approve of it.
If this is true — and Naylor says nothing without Bloom and board's approval — I'm ok with it, but we now need to move fast on alternative targets (Raum, Grimaldo?).

 

[Inter Me Nan]

I’d pay the £50m we can’t leave the guy there after putting in a transfer request

Not much we can do if Brighton won't pick up the phone.

 

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

I think it’s more the principle than the actual amount. It could adversely affect us in future negotiations if selling clubs know we’ll fold eventually.

I think that's exactly right. Every single club would adopt the same strategy on our targets.

 

[skillman]

Oh and now it’s 50m++

Yeah. The Naylor report says that Brighton won’t engage in any ‘incremental’ bids and the price is £50m. Like their stance (in public anyway) always has been.

Something tells me Naylor wanted Saturday morning clicks on his CV given it’s the same stuff he’s been spouting since the start of the saga.

 

[nellyonthewing]

So we have no proper left back ( how many years is that), injured centre back ( just as well we didn’t sell Ake) . We do some things spectacularly then appear amateurish in others.

 

[dachoosen1]

Yes I get that difference. But it is pretty clear that it is only for the bonus/installment up to that point. Not what remains beyond it whether that is one year 2, 3, 4 etc.

As far as I was aware it was for the length of the contract as its the club's decision to sell.

 

[balotellishaircut]

Not much we can do if Brighton won't pick up the phone.

Oh right I didn’t consider this, that Bloom really is a weapon, jeez

 

[LangleyBlue1970]

their prerogative. we move

Exactly. Did the same with White. Arsenal eventually buckled and got their man. I hope we don’t buckle, but Brighton are well within their right to command whatever they want.

 

[alexmcity]

For the record, I was pessimistic about this transfer, wrote it on Monday after TH's info about a 2nd bid.

But...I'm not sure it's dead.

Brighton are playing it smartly in order to prevent further actions and shithousery from Cucu and his agent. But only time will tell whether it's smart enough.

 

[Gumzy97]

I guess we got to the alternatives now

Raum really is the best second choice if we could get him.

Sosa is good but he's raw and more of a wing back I don't think hes that technically good either to play in a pep team

Grimaldo just don't see it, he had all that hype but is still at Benfica why? Has to be a reason he's not at another team right now.

 

[Bluewonder]

how long are we going to pretend cancelo isn't a left back

Cancelo's natural position is right back.

He plays at left back out of necessity.

Either way, 2 senior full backs is not sufficient for the number of games we will play.

 

[Coatigan]

Not so good business from us it must be said, sorry to those who'll disagree. Weird to sell Zinchenko so early before these negotiations were anywhere close. Only strengthened Brighton's position imo.

Let's see how it plays out first shall we? over a month left to go.