A Great Transfer Window

[Ludo]

Just looking at the papers this morning and they've all got Sterling's price at £49m (including the add ons) but fail to include the add ons for Martial which could, according to reports, push the price up to £58m.

[Swiss]

Have been a bit busy lately so missed the "Real won't challenge" bit.


No Pogba, but the Chavs didn't pick him up either, though that brings Barce back into the fray again

[zacc]

great article about City's transfer approach.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/manchester-citys-transfer-template-offers-lesson-to-neighbours-united-10483777.html

[Rowley Birkin QC]

Ian Herbert often has interesting things to say about City...

Their process works like this: when the director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has finished his holiday, which always begins on 1 September, he dedicates his every working hour to targets. He analyses, with the manager, the needs (this summer: pace, home-grown, youth); identifies three or four names for each in priority order; then goes about securing them.

United and City shared common views on some things this summer. Both had an interest in Pedro â€" City marginally more, though not enough interest to buy him. United wanted more pace than he gave. City preferred Kevin De Bruyne in part because, at four years younger, he had more resale value. City dropped Pedro when it was clear De Bruyne was theirs. United dropped Pedro when Chelsea came in and bought him.

This superior planning again poses the question: why don’t United also have someone at the top of the club working permanently on acquisitions?

And well, well, well - what have we here...

City’s fluency is no accident. It was the creation of ex-chief executive Garry Cook who, with Brian Marwood, put the director of football model in place. That is the same Cook who bought David Silva and Yaya Touré for £24m apiece when City were not very famous.

Cook ultimately made some dangerous enemies by trying to cut out agents from deals. Many characterised him as noisy upstart who knew nothing. They knew nothing.

[nimrod]

Thats it Ken your a Cookey fanboy

Bedroom wall........pictures ?

[The Blue Blooded Maniac]

Hehehe

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/david-de-gea-transfer-debacle-6359521