I would quite like to see him here but don't want it to be anything like last year. Don't want us to end up looking like fools again. Inquire once, if they try to play hardball then move on to the next target.
80% of Barca fans would sell Fabregas to us for €30M
- Thread starter Sassy Colin
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Do not want him here.
If we can get him we should get him. He'd be dynamite in a deeper role in our midfield. Our Scholes replacement.
This buy-back clause that Arsenal have is worthless. It only works if Barca want to sell, Arsenal want to buy and Fabregas wants to go there. If all of that is in place then the transfer will happen anyway. All it does is guarantee Arsenal a seat at the table.
This buy-back clause that Arsenal have is worthless. It only works if Barca want to sell, Arsenal want to buy and Fabregas wants to go there. If all of that is in place then the transfer will happen anyway. All it does is guarantee Arsenal a seat at the table.
I think it would guarantee more than just a seat though. I'd imagine that the player himself would welcome the love he'd be sure to receive for a return to Gooner nation - which would obviously be predicated on moving the Turk/German. Might also explain why his name is suddenly on the market too
Don't want him. We already have 3 players in his preferred position.Rooney, Mata, Kagawa. We have more pressing needs in dm, cb, lb and wide areas. The last thing is another fancy midfielder who won't fit in. I wouldn't pick him ahead of Mata or inform Rooney. I think he thrives in a more influential role like he did at Arsenal rather than the false 9, supporting cast/backup to Xavi/Iniesta he plays at Barca.
It's been a while, but he played in cm quite a bit for Arsenal did he not? Not sure they would all be competing for the same position.
He's more than capable of playing the Carrick, Fellaini or Rooney role to a top class standard. Brilliant player, we'd be mental to not want him.
They are certainly going to sell some players. I've been reading that they want to sell Sanchez too, with Juventus being interested. Not sure how true that might be but he would be a brilliant addition to any other team.
Fabregas signing has no impact on Ozil staying. Wenger will find a way to accommodate Ozil, Fabregas, Wilshere and Ramsey, possibly in a 4222.
he did in his early years and around the time Viera left. But by 2008 he was playing behind the striker in a similar role to Ozil. Barca and Spain moved him further forward. Anyway I'd rather have younger players like Kroos if he is attainable and a more combative midfielder than Fabregas. At this point he is a luxury buy
The other two would presumably be a cf and a dm to make up the front 6? Very narrow team if so and lacking in pace. Just doesn't feel very balanced.
Walcott and Giroud up front, Wilshere, Fabregas and Ramsey offer enough defensive capability in CM, width from Walcott and Ozil drifting wide + fullback support (see Man City).
Really? I can't think of many(any?) league winning central midfields in the last 10 years that have played without one very defensively adept player.
Has Fabregas' defensive game improved significantly throughout his career? I only ask because when he came to Arsenal in the first place Wenger shifted Vieira out because Cesc needed a pure defensive midfielder alongside him, it seems unlikely that years playing for Barca will have improved that side of his game to the extent that he could survive in a 2-man midfield with someone like Carrick without Carrick completely changing his game.
The closest thing we could put out to replicate Wenger's use of Fabregas would be either to play him instead of Mata as a number 10 or to drop him deeper and pair him with someone like Fellaini (or Carvalho if we were to sign him) playing as a pure destroyer. I'd bite Barca's hand off for 30m euros but we'd be no closer to having a settled XI than we are now.
The closest thing we could put out to replicate Wenger's use of Fabregas would be either to play him instead of Mata as a number 10 or to drop him deeper and pair him with someone like Fellaini (or Carvalho if we were to sign him) playing as a pure destroyer. I'd bite Barca's hand off for 30m euros but we'd be no closer to having a settled XI than we are now.
Play Carvalho as a defensive mid/destroyer, with Fabregas.
Sign him up!
Sign him up!
Is he any good? Honestly.
He has not has a good season, has he, and neither has Barcelona.
He has not has a good season, has he, and neither has Barcelona.
No teams have had 3 proper CMs who can attack and defend.
Even Barcelona at their height had Busquets holding. I think it's a little naive to suggest that Fabregas/Wilshere/Ramsey would be a league winning CM when all the evidence points to the necessity of at least one good holding player to anchor the CM in top sides. You'd be falling into Wenger's trap again of putting out a load of good players and hoping they don't get torn apart on the counter, which they inevitably would.
would be a superb, superb signing
Barca have had a bad season by their high standards but why would they consider selling
because some pissed of fans have thrown their dummy from the pram? its silly even considering it for me.
I doubt they would sell one of their own, someone with his ability, someone who committed to the club last season, someone who will be used increasingly with Xavi getting older for 50 million plus to anyone
we missed our chance last season - we should have bid really big early on for him or Thiago - you snooze you lose and we did.
Barca have had a bad season by their high standards but why would they consider selling
because some pissed of fans have thrown their dummy from the pram? its silly even considering it for me.
I doubt they would sell one of their own, someone with his ability, someone who committed to the club last season, someone who will be used increasingly with Xavi getting older for 50 million plus to anyone
we missed our chance last season - we should have bid really big early on for him or Thiago - you snooze you lose and we did.
Top players leave top clubs all the time, if you had to pre-analyse why someone would want sell/buy/stay/move, you'd reason that perhaps no transfers would ever take place.
Top player, we may not "need" him, but top players are always welcome at top clubs, I'd shift out Kagawa of the first XI for him, just not sure he'd solve what we need..
I've only seen Fabregas play a his top level when he's the middle 1 of the 3 behind a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1/4-5-1 irk.
I've only seen Fabregas play a his top level when he's the middle 1 of the 3 behind a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1/4-5-1 irk.
Xavi and Iniesta offer little defensively hence Busquets. Defensive midfield is largely about discipline, with 3 quality all-round CMs you shouldn't have a problem.
because players are sold/move on/want to leave for a reason
Barca have an aging Xavi, no other natural playermaker coming through, his other midfield partners are Busquets/Song/Mascherano if they played him there and a few youngsters
its not like Barca need the money and I think this is an area of the pitch they will want to strengthen rather than weaken - there are also rumours Xavi might move on to the US at 34 - add all this up and it makes it highly unlikely they would sell
the only reason I would see for them wanting to move him on would be if he had a big falling out with the hierarchy or if they were planning to bring in a couple of new midfield players (Javi Martinez/Herrera etc) - even then its a long shot....
thats ignoring why a player would leave his hometown club, when he is due to step up to replace Xavi to move to a team, as pains it for me to say, out of the Champions League and during a transitional phase....
his only incentive would be £££££ and I'm not sure that would be enough
99% of transfers happen because there is a good reason for it to happen - if we sold players every time they hit a patch of poor form......
People saying they don't want him here make me laugh. I would be absolutely delighted if we could sign him but I think he will reject a chance. No champions league football and all that.
Like i said before... One year of no champions league football for a guy that has won nearly everything at Barca is not going to be a problem. He will have a chance to push for a domestic treble and hopefully a good Europa campaign.
Does Van Gaal even want him? Does he fit in with the next manager's scheme? Incidentally highlights the problem of waiting until after the World Cup for a manager to arrive.
As far as price goes, we should find out what 51% of Barca fans would sell him for and offer that. 60million for Cavani, etc., we'll soon have a Europe wide reputation for being THE go to soft touch mugs without, unlike City, a whole country's resources to blow.
As far as price goes, we should find out what 51% of Barca fans would sell him for and offer that. 60million for Cavani, etc., we'll soon have a Europe wide reputation for being THE go to soft touch mugs without, unlike City, a whole country's resources to blow.
Hasn't Cesc become pretty much an AM/false 9? Another player that I don't see how he would fit in here.
No one said Cesc wants to leave Barca. It is just that the Barca directors have in all probability already decided that they wish to sell him and bring in new blood. One of the proposed and prime targets for Barcelona this summer will be Arturo Vidal. For that to happen, Cesc will probably need to be sold. The Catalan press have been full of stories about selling Cesc, with United being seen as the most likely destination.
No one is good enough any longer for that set of fans. They've got a ridiculous standard now. He's quite clearly good enough.
The fans need to take a look at the back 4 and Busquets. Valdes has been saving their asses a lot this season. I'm not once been impressed by them this season. Busquets has been fine in possession but when defending he's not been in that class that he's made out to be.
It's not like there's a huge different in achievement. Slightly behind Atlético and Real. That's it. Doesn't take a whole lot to fix. Buy players that are better at defensive. So far Neymar hasn't showed a whole lot. Especially considering he's the most expensive player in the world. Sanchez outperformed him this season
Fixing Fabregas isn't that tough. Play him in his position. Xavi's 34. He should be phased out more than he is.
It's not rocket science is it?
You don't really watch Barcelona play do you?
I used to be Cesc's biggest fanboy, but the fact of the matter is that even though his failure to shine as a false 9 is perfectly understandable, he has also been given several games to play at CM without really impressing. He simply lacks the composure and close control to cut it like Xavi and Iniesta have done for our midfield. He is also slow, which limits the tactical options of the team even further. I am still fond of Cesc's main asset (his final ball) but I sense that there are few chances of him staying at Barcelona from next year. He will probably return to the Premier League.
Barcelona are not looking to improve solely by replacing Cesc. Like I have previously posted on this forum, the decision for a radical makeover has already been taken. Only six players are guaranteed to feature next season, namely: Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, Pique, Alba and Busquets. The main focus will be the goalkeeping and CB positions, with two players brought in for each of those 2 positions, so that is four new signings right there. A new RB will be brought in since Alves will be sold, since he will still fetch a decent sum, and we will get rid of his extremely high wages. We are looking probably for a more defensive (and taller) RB for the future. Cesc will also probably be sold, and a new CM be brought in. This will depend on whether we can get Vidal I think. But with the revenue created by the sale of Cesc, it should be doable. Pedro will possibly be sold, and Alexis surely so. Mascherano is also highly unlikely to stay, there is a lot of interest for him from Napoli at least. Xavi will probably remain at the club, but will not be seen as a starter anymore and I am sure he understands that by now.
So, that means that Alves, Macherano, Tello and Alexis will be sold for sure. Cesc, Pedro are strong possibilities as well. The revenue generated by the sales of current players will be added to a 120m euro sum for the signing of our new players. Ter Stegen is the only finalized signing up to now. The names that have been mentioned thus far are: David Luiz, Vidal, Courtois, Caballero, Hummels, Ozil (I hope not) Benatia, Reus, Martinez, Laporte and possibly a classic number 9. As the summer progresses, there will be further developments for sure, and possibly new suggestions as well. But we are definitely looking at a radical overhaul at Barcelona this summer.
Edit: Sure we have little to envy any other club in Spain, or Europe, and even a solitary goal against Granada the other week would have meant we would now be firm favourites for the league title, but considering some of the players in our squad, we should have been playing and doing better. Hence the need for new blood, and maybe even a new approach.
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In the nicest possible way...feck off, this is our summer
All major teams will be buying this summer. But you and us will definitely be the most active this coming summer.
And with good reason.
We'll take Sanchez and Fabregas please. Thank you.
I watch Barcelona plenty. I'm just not as fickle with my MC's as I don't compare them to Xavi and Iniesta in their heydays.
You're quite confident in the club managing to sell players aren't you. Who do you think is willing to take on Alves' wages? A lot of things could happen in the next 30-60 days. Barcelona not being able to buy or sell anyone. PSG and Monaco and perhaps others get punished for overspending. The transfer market isn't so simply. Every single player that Barcelona will try only has a few options because of their wages. Barcelona pay massive massive wages. Even compared to Real do they pay a lot.
United had the same talks last summer. Only Fellaini came in on the last day and no one was sold. Only big clubs can afford these players and big clubs don't shop around as much as they used to unless they sell as well.
My remark over you not watching Barcelona related to your absurd claim that Alexis outshone Neymar last season. You may think that Cesc is good enough for Barca (which is what I used to believe for many a year) but the Catalan press and club directors seem to have changed their minds as well.
I am absolutely certain that we can sell the players we want for very good prices this summer. These are not washed out veterans, or unproven youngsters we are talking about. They are almost all of them proven stars for both club and international football. If Cesc becomes available in the summer, then a host of cash-rich PL clubs will be getting out their checkbooks, not least Manchester United who are currently struggling with Fellaini and an ageing Carrick in that position more or less. Who will take Alves? How would PSG love to get their hands on a world class RB instead of relying on freakin' Jallet. Our wage bill is quite sizeable, but it's a mistake to think that every single player on the roster is on massive wages. The players that are indeed being paid very highly are: Messi, Neymar, Iniesta, Xavi, Alves, Valdes and Puyol. Valdes and Puyol will be be history by next season. Alexis, Cesc, Pedro, Busquets, Alba, Song, Mascherano are well paid, but not anywhere higher than any rich English (and some non-English) clubs are paying their own players currently. I can look for the exact figures. Are you still taking all this FFP rubbish seriously? There are a million ways for clubs to financially dope through dubious sponsorship deal and "Hollywood accounting" Or do you think that UEFA will step in to spoil the bonanza for agents, clubs, sport press and the like? I thought we lived in a capitalist society... This is precisely its raison d'etre. So, I would say, that there are 5 or even 6 English clubs that can definitely afford some of our players, PSG of course, Juventus (heavily linked with Alexis in both Italy and Spain) AS Monaco, possibly Roma, Napoli (linked with Mascherano) These clubs should be more than enough, but you still have some German clubs that are not exactly poor, the two Milan clubs or maybe even Zenit.
In any case, I am not saying that all of those players will definitely be sold, but I am certain that their potential sales are being considered as we speak and the possibility of them being sold being more than tangible.
The reason you ended up with only Fellaini last summer, is that you were truing to operate on the cheap, as you have mostly done in recent years. Instead of just concentrating on few big name players of proven world-class quality, you go after middle of the road solutions left right and centre, something which has cost you dearly, both in financial, and sporting terms. What Barcelona have been doing with their defence for the past few years, you have been doing with your entire squad, and most on this forum will agree with me. United I feel, have realized by now the name of the game, and will be forced this summer to splash some serious cash for some world-class players that could, potentially, take the club back to the top. Trust me, this summer will see yet another record in transfer spending.
Interesting that you choose to bring his heritage into it. He's a third generation German.
remember that summer when Real Madrid offloaded some top class players at as I remember it fairly smallish fees? Robben, Van Der Vaart, Sneijder?
Almost seems similar for Barcelona this year.
We should definitely be having a sniff around
Almost seems similar for Barcelona this year.
We should definitely be having a sniff around
Prepare your muppet hats! Should there be a proper Fabregas thread in the Transfer Forum? The one from last summer is closed.
Here we go again. It was good fun last year.