Liverpool FC Forum

[Penguins]

Well, the biggest problem is not other teams wanting our best players. That is normally a good thing since it tells everyone how good they are.

The problem starts when the players wants to leave.
It undermines the team's and manager's bargaining position
since it just is good for no parties involved having a player
that doesn't want to be there and has been forced to stay by his current club.

If a big club like us ever sell players it will always be what some call "on the cheap" because there are only 2 scenarios when we ever sell.

1. Fringe players not good enough
2. Players wanting out and  play for another club

We never sell the players who are good and wants to stay
which are those that cost the most.

[Bad Bob]

Well, the biggest problem is not other teams wanting our best players. That is normally a good thing since it tells everyone how good they are.

The problem starts when the players wants to leave.
It undermines the team's and manager's bargaining position
since it just is good for no parties involved having a player
that doesn't want to be there and has been forced to stay by his current club.

If a big club like us ever sell players it will always be what some call "on the cheap" because there are only 2 scenarios when we ever sell.

1. Fringe players not good enough
2. Players wanting out and  play for another club

We never sell the players who are good and wants to stay
which are those that cost the most.

I agree to a point but I think Martin O'Neill proved last year that you can hold out for your price even if the player wants to leave.  If the asking club doesn't meet the valuation you tell your player that he'll be expected to turn up in training like everyone else, get his head down and honour his contract.  Like Barry, I expect Alonso would do that if Madrid don't meet Rafa's asking price.  He's got a lot of time to run on his contract and so I think we can afford to dig in our heels and wait for Madrid to meet our valuation.  Scratch that--I don't think we can afford not to given our limited funds and given the hyper-inflation in the market this summer.  No point letting our own lads go for peanuts when everyone else is pocketing silly money.

[aCe']

Manutd certainly havent ronaldo on the cheap.. he wanted to leave and they made sure they got what they felt was the right price...
same with Kaka, Benzema..etc... most of the good players who go around for big money actually...
The difference here is that Alonso and Mascherano are not worth what some here believe they are... Mascherano and Alonso for a combined 70mill is ridiculous... Alonso for 20-25 mill would be good business for all involved... Mascherano pretty much the same thing .. Madrid and Barcelona know that and i think Rafa does aswell... 35mill for Alonso is stupid money and if Rafa told Madrid that he'll only sell for 35 mill then i take it he doesnt want to get rid of Alonso and is pretty much doing all he can to fend off their interest... If Madrid DO DECIDE to make such an offer, we should happily accept it and use the money to strengthen our squad...

People will talk about overinflated prices and a whole bunch of BS like that... well.. Benzema moved for around 30mill, Teves for 25, Barry for 12, diego around 20,Gourcuff 12....etc etc...

we just need to know how to use whatever we get in-case one (or both, very unlikely) is sold....

[Rafas-Y-Fronts]

Alonso won't be leaving until after the 18th July at which point the 20% sell on clause in his contract expires so we will be able to keep the entire fee paid.

[tubby]

That clause ran out on the 1st July.

[NANNY RED]

Ive come to a decision today an after many many hour of thinking while i was out shoe shopping, with my daughter who actualy put the idea in my head, id offer them both new revised contracts an if they turn them down then they can both feck off as far as im concerned , they can go where they wanna go , because clearly they dont wanna be here    ill find someone else to like sniff sniff , Aggers growing on me already anyway

And yet we have stand firm on any transfer fees , no shi,tty 25 millions , Rafa has to hold out for what he values our players at , hes the one who holds the cards here . he can just say NO , not enough, an until you come up with what we want my players are going nowhere . simple no

[tubby]

Has Agger signed the new contract yet? You get your shoes?

[Bammo]

here you go bav:


Agger deal


I think for Alonso he's saying what he needs to to save face in case of any eventuality. If he says he wants to stay then Rafa accepts a ridiculous offer (e.g. £40m) then he has to move when he said he'd stay. If he says he wants to go then RM don't move for him he'll have the fans on his back.

As for Masch, I have a feeling its more the agent pushing for a transfer pay day or new contract pay day than Masch definitely wanting to leave. As Nanny said, offer them both extensions (to their contracts not their houses ) and see who accepts.

[tubby]

Cheers Bammo. I knew before he had agreed it but he hadn't signed so I thought we were still there.....

With Masch is it really true he is only on 25k a week? He is deserving of a payrise but if that is all he want's this isn't the way to go about it. I think out of the 2 Xabi would accept it. He loves the fans and is settled in England too. With Masch there is that thing with his wife......When you have a family you are a team so you have to all agree. Look at Rafa and Montse when he came here they all came together so I imagine if Maschs wife is not happy then there is a strong possibility he could go despite any pay rise claims.

[Bammo]

Does anyone know Masch's contract situation? I've heard rumours either on here or RAWK that he's on £25k because he received half of the transfer fee. If that's true is he obliged to stay for a certain length of time? or is he able to take the money and run to a club paying £90k a week? (there's rumours we've offered him that too so if he does go he's being greedy!)

[Madmax]

Ive come to a decision today an after many many hour of thinking while i was out shoe shopping, with my daughter who actualy put the idea in my head, id offer them both new revised contracts an if they turn them down then they can both feck off as far as im concerned , they can go where they wanna go , because clearly they dont wanna be here    ill find someone else to like sniff sniff , Aggers growing on me already anyway

And yet we have stand firm on any transfer fees , no shi,tty 25 millions , Rafa has to hold out for what he values our players at , hes the one who holds the cards here . he can just say NO , not enough, an until you come up with what we want my players are going nowhere . simple no

well said nan.. Would be a good way to put the two in the red seat offer them deals. I'm just hoping both stay. In order to deal with the upcoming season we need all of our stars.

[Reg]

Apparantly Masher's missus has refused to return to Merseyside which basically closes the issue doesnt it? Looks like we´ll lose them both if we´re not very careful.

[Alex G.]

Barça has not enough money to sign Masch. Trust me.

[thegreedo]

Can't help but think as much as I admire both Xabi and Mash, If they want out, let them go and get the deals done quickly. My biggest worry is the deals will drag on and we will be left short of quality midfielders for the start of the new season.

[Reg]

Maybe Rafa´s tied the deal to being able to find replacements and the ball is in Rafa´s court?