Nico González

[Dribble]

For this move, yes you are right, but this has also been leaked before it has been completed. I presume we are haggling because we know, if needed, we can just pay the clause. The timing is after the group stages of European comps for both clubs, with Porto doing badly in the league (as @Gaz (FMwkdsoul) pointed out), which may have been factored in.

However, you believe that this is our third choice etc which is what I was talking about. If we had been talking to other players, agents and clubs throughout the window we would likely have heard something. You may be completely right though, it's just my opinion

Where did I say I believe he was our third choice? Others were asking why the filling of this crucial position had been left so late in the window, & I merely posited that perhaps he may not have been our first choice, hence the late charge to sign him?

For all I know, Nico could've been our first choice, but it's just taken this long to get to this point for a variety of reasons.

As for the wider public being likely to have heard something if we were going after other players, that isn't always the case. Looking at the four we've signed so far, no one mentioned any of them in December, & I doubt our search for reinforcements only commenced with the opening of the window. We'd have had our list of preferences prepared months ago & worked our way through those on it.

I love the way there's been near radio silence regarding our transfers. This is why I'm one of those who's never got twisted because we hadn't signed six players within the first week of the window opening.

City know what needs to be done, BUT we also know we have to get value for money & can't afford another Philips or Nunes scenario. Again, if we can't land Nico this window, I'm happy for us to mend & make do until the right players are available in the summer.

We need to think long-term, not sticking plaster.

 

[mancboy]

From what I've read, there's some convoluted way that by allowing Porto to buy out Barcelona's share, and paying less than the release clause, Porto actually get more money, because they cut out Barca from the deal. Which seems like a win-win for us and Porto if that's true.

so if they pay barca 6m, it cuts the share to 20% which would leave their investment at 14.5m, if we paid 45 and they paid barca 20% of that their profit would 24m ish, if we paid 60m and they gave barca 40% of that which would be 24m, that would leave 36m, minus the initial 8.5 still means they get 27.5m, so the maths dont really add up, unless they pay that 6m and we still pay the release clause, but my maths might be way off.

 

[southamptonblue]

From what I've read, there's some convoluted way that by allowing Porto to buy out Barcelona's share, and paying less than the release clause, Porto actually get more money, because they cut out Barca from the deal. Which seems like a win-win for us and Porto if that's true.

Somebody said (no idea if true) that Barca had a buyback too?.....if true, I doubt even Barca, with their "pre school" levels of financial knowledge, would leave a situation where they would be considerably worse off in any future deal, by allowing themselves to being 'cut out'.

 

[BringBackSwales]

Disagree, Kovacic is 100% the issue for me, Gundogan too, neither are good enough to occupy the 6 or 8 spots regularly.

Brugge's goal epitomised it for me. Ball given away, miles out of position, slow to get back, just didn't sense the danger. We are just making do with him in there but he isn't good enough.

Did you see where the centre backs and Gvardiol were for that goal though pal, all over the place

 

[mancboy]

Somebody said (no idea if true) that Barca had a buyback too?.....if true, I doubt even Barca, with their "pre school" levels of financial knowledge, would leave a situation where they would be considerably worse off in any future deal, by allowing themselves to being 'cut out'.

its something you never really see tho isnt, especially in britain, clubs activating buyback clauses just to flip the player, i think somebody did it to us with porro but it isnt common.

 

[TonyM]

Never wanted him anyway? Too soon?

 

[MCFC1993]

Did you see where the centre backs and Gvardiol were for that goal though pal, all over the place

They were but giving the ball away in a central position with everybody pushed up was criminal.

I suppose the main issue is neither were brought in to be starters, just to play here and there but are now being exposed.

 

[oakiecokie]

I don’t think you realized but the first time you quoted my post, was a post where I made an answer regarding kovacic’s speed. So naturally I thought you could read.

You really are becoming an arse for a newbie !! Likewise you to need to read whats being said.End of my discussion with you.

 

[mcfcpride]

Sign him up!

 

[southamptonblue]

its something you never really see tho isnt, especially in britain, clubs activating buyback clauses just to flip the player, i think somebody did it to us with porro but it isnt common.

Not sure if here, but has happened (very rarely) that someone has bought back to flog on.
TBH, buyback is more of an 'ass covering' of ie Harwood-Belis moving to Southampton, and over the next season or 2, becomes Paulo Maldini? There are minimal cases of a player doing that, and if you can't 100% guarantee selling the player on, you're stuck with him....along with the fee and wages.

 

[Ajm1985]

Where did I say I believe he was our third choice? Others were asking why the filling of this crucial position had been left so late in the window, & I merely posited that perhaps he may not have been our first choice, hence the late charge to sign him?

For all I know, Nico could've been our first choice, but it's just taken this long for a variety of reasons to get to this point.

As for the wider public being likely to have heard something if we were going after others, that isn't always the case. Looking at the four we've signed so far, no one mentioned any of them in December, & I doubt our search for reinforcements only commence ld with the opening of the window. We'd have had our list of preferences & worked our way down.

Your statement was that it suggested to you he wasn't our first, second or third choice. Is that not your belief then? I offered suggestions as to why that may not be the case.

It's a bit redundant to go back and forth about how likely it is that news of transfers get out, particularly in a transfer forum, so happy to leave it.

 

[WallyA]

A trio of Nico, Bernie and Kova should be pretty strong to carry us until the end of the season.

Gundogan and KdB should be rotation options at best.

Id like to see O Reilly and Bobb get into midfield as well to get minutes.

 

[Gabriel]

A trio of Nico, Bernie and Kova should be pretty strong to carry us until the end of the season.

Gundogan and KdB should be rotation options at best.

Id like to see O Reilly and Bobb get into midfield as well to get minutes.

Bobb needs to be played nearer goal, for me. Has a proven record of scoring goals for us through all levels, a facet which goes overlooked, and he’s the most gifted player we have for taking the ball on the half turn. If he ain’t making them for his compatriot, he’ll be scoring them.

 

[WallyA]

Bobb needs to be played nearer goal, for me. Has a proven record of scoring goals for us through all levels, a facet which goes overlooked, and he’s the most gifted player we have for taking the ball on the half turn. If he ain’t making them for his compatriot, he’ll be scoring them.

I want Bobb to be in midfield but as the most offensive threat in midfield.

He has qualities to be like David Silva or Pedri for us, we need a midfield player who can be the link to the forward attack.

I think its a slight waste to play him up top, we have so many players who are obsessed with goals and assists:

Haaland
Foden
Marmoush
Savio
Doku
McAtee

I want Bobb to get them too, but I more want him to be the architect of our attack for the future. He is better suited than all the others for this role.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Bobb needs to be played nearer goal, for me. Has a proven record of scoring goals for us through all levels, a facet which goes overlooked, and he’s the most gifted player we have for taking the ball on the half turn. If he ain’t making them for his compatriot, he’ll be scoring them.

Always found him to be a better provider than goalscorer, think he'll be a RW for a few seasons before the move to AM

 

[Carrl]

You really are becoming an arse for a newbie !! Likewise you to need to read whats being said.End of my discussion with you.

You really don't make any sense. Bye!

 

[loio]

I would only let Pep buy people from Spain and/or spanish. This will probably change now with Viana though. expect more from Portugal when Txixi is gone. This is a Pep signing though. He will have to know that he can mould them and it's easier if he knows (of) them. Only top shelf PL players aka Bruno G, Tonali etc.

 

[Gabriel]

I want Bobb to be in midfield but as the most offensive threat in midfield.

He has qualities to be like David Silva or Pedri for us, we need a midfield player who can be the link to the forward attack.

I think its a slight waste to play him up top, we have so many players who are obsessed with goals and assists:

Haaland
Foden
Marmoush
Savio
Doku
McAtee

I want Bobb to get them too, but I more want him to be the architect of our attack for the future. He is better suited than all the others for this role.

When facing opposition who set up like Chelsea last week, then I can see him playing a little deeper and almost into midfield. However, when facing teams that mass on the edge of the box, as did Bruges, then he is needed in and around the box, and Foden should be the link; he is much more comfortable facing the play.

Rather spoilt when you see that list, aren't we? Good times ahead.

 

[WallyA]

When facing opposition who set up like Chelsea last week, then I can see him playing a little deeper and almost into midfield. However, when facing teams that mass on the edge of the box, as did Bruges, then he is needed in and around the box, and Foden should be the link; he is much more comfortable facing the play.

Rather spoilt when you see that list, aren't we? Good times ahead.

Id prefer Bobb slightly deeper than Foden against a deep block as I feel Foden is more obsessed with goals and slightly lacks that David Silva quality that Bobb has.

Although both could be dual 10s with wingers out wide too.

 

[Gabriel]

Always found him to be a better provider than goalscorer, think he'll be a RW for a few seasons before the move to AM

As I mentioned, it's too often overlooked that he already has 33 goals and 35 assists in his time with us. He can start again on the wing just now to regain fitness, for sure, but you don't score that number of goals, at any level, unless you have a natural nose for it. We'll be wasting that ability if we leave him out wide for seasons.