Marco Verratti

[schfc6]

Do you think Pep's comment "Luiz is ready for the first team" is purely tactical to help Txiki in a Verrati bid?

That statement doesn't sound like a 'likely loan' to me.
It also seems to be a statement towards Zinchenko, as only one of them can be in our squad...
We'll see soon.

I think the comment does a few things.

Attempting to stop any hysterics about our missed recruitment.
Gives the lad confidence.
Possibly helps with the work permit application.

If we don't sign anyone and he gets a work permit I think he'll get minutes.
I don't think he'll get a work permit. So I think he'll have to go out on loan.

 

[Silva2021]

You didn't follow the Jorginho story then? Not even £50m. And City definitely wanted him.

What is Pep's stance towards Verrati? Did he ever talk about Verrati?

I followed it as Jorginho is the kind of player I really enjoy watching.

It’s hard to know if we had been willing to pay Napoli more a deal could have been done earlier before Sarri moved to Chelsea, or it just would have stalled as well as Jorginho waited for the Chelsea move.

My point on Verratti is I think any other window if and it’s a Big if he is available at a cost of £80 million we would buy him.

I’m taking my lead from Sam Lee that City have briefed they do not want Verratti.

I hope it is a smokescreen and we do want him, but I think we will go with what we have.

 

[Silva2021]

If he was available and Pep thought he was the right fit in all departments then I'm sure we would be at the table negotiating. The issue with these media reports seems to be that most of them are driven by hidden agendas....

Probably right, new contract??

 

[riley347]

Personally don’t believe for 1 minute that we’re in for him... media hype to help a new contract... Jorginho was the one... :(

 

[richards30]

We even turned down Vidal!

 

[MeatHunterrr]

I think Pep has said several times we only want special players who WANT to join City.
It simply takes some time to find out what such a player really wants, in personal meetings.

Such a last minute transfer without detailed player talks doesn't seem how City do big deals nowadays.

I guess Pep/Txiki have decided to take time to scout and prepare the special player City really want. IMO.

But this strategy can have its risks. We aren't the most prestigious club out there, Most players go to a club who offers the most anyway. Example being Mbappe and Neymar at PSG

When Pep will be gone, do City go back to paying up to compensate for the loss of prestige Guardiola brings? We probably have to, unless we happen to win the CL before he leaves.

 

[St.Pauli support]

I think the comment does a few things.

Attempting to stop any hysterics about our missed recruitment.
Gives the lad confidence.
Possibly helps with the work permit application.

If we don't sign anyone and he gets a work permit I think he'll get minutes.
I don't think he'll get a work permit. So I think he'll have to go out on loan.

Okay thanks, makes sense.
I just can't assess the work permit chances.

 

[MeatHunterrr]

We even turned down Vidal!

Im glad we did. He apparently has alcohol problem.

 

[schfc6]

Okay thanks, makes sense.
I just can't assess the work permit chances.

Basic criteria is/was you need to play 75% of internationals for a top ranked team or be an exceptional talent.
Luiz doesn't fit either, but money talks as they say..

 

[manimanc]

We even turned down Vidal!

It's sasoon to know if that'll come back to haunt us.