jimharri:
Maybe the intricacies of transfer negotiations escape me, but I don't get what benefit we gain from submitting that lowball offer a couple of days ago. If we want him, and it seems clear that we do, why not simply get in contact with Lyon, and negotiate realistically with them? We all know that if (when?) the deal is completed, it's going to be for a fee a hell of a lot closer to what Lyon want for him than our €23m initial offer.
Honestly that offer looks disgraceful and should have angeredd Lyon.