Chelsea reach agreement to sign Cesc Fábregas

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alastair said:
Liverpool's more likely than United - he's always admired the club.
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Hilarious.

He rejected us last year because he decided he would stay at Barca and they showed they wanted to keep him. It appears that commitment is no longer as tight on at least one side.

I hope the stories that Van Gaal is not interested are false because I think we have as good chance as anyone of landing him.

Him and Shaw would be a great start to build on.
 
There are so many United fans who just don't want to accept last year happened. It's almost pointless trying to get through to them.

If you sign Fabregas, it'll be because you offered him astronomical wages and Woodwood is a master of persuasion. Why? Because he'll have much better current offers elsewhere.
 
PSingh said:
Depends on the situation, if it's a straight up choice between us and Arsenal and he picks Arsenal and was never interested in us then no we haven't failed. But if it's a case of he was interested and we take too long and he goes somewhere else and we don't manage to bring in a better option, then yes we've failed.
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I don't believe that LVG is a man to hang around, if he wants something. I am sure he has his finger on the pulse and his foot in Woodward's erse.
 
I'd put Arsenal as favourites, City narrowly behind them, us narrowly behind City, and Liverpool and Chelsea both some way behind us. Arsenal for obvious reasons. City because they're the champions and can still basically match anyone else's wage offer. Us because of van Gaal, because of our general reputation, because of the chance to link up with stars like Mata, Rooney and RVP but still be absolutely guaranteed a starting berth in his best position, and because we should be keen enough to pay the big bucks.

Chelsea's big money will be going towards strikers this season. Plus Mourinho doesn't suit Fabregas and Fabregas wouldn't suit Mourinho. Mourinho's CMs are always defenders first, creators second - Fabregas does his bit in terms of work rate and defending, but compare him to Ballack, Cambiasso, Khedira, Alonso, Matic and he clearly doesn't fit the bill. And Mourinho already ditched a highly specialist #10 because he prefers Oscar, so he's hardly going to spend £30m to bring in the less suitable Fabregas to play there.

And Liverpool just won't have the pull. Fabregas won't have been watching their much-vaunted 'wonderful football' (read: caution to the wind and got away with it for a few games before coming up against two managers with the savvy to neutralise that approach.) Ok, they've got CL football, but to Fabregas names like Sterling, Sturridge, Coutinho and Henderson - absolutely central players in Liverpool's season - are hardly going to scream 'top team'. They might not have the finances to attract him either.
 
alastair said:
There are so many United fans who just don't want to accept last year happened. It's almost pointless trying to get through to them.

If you sign Fabregas, it'll be because you offered him astronomical wages and Woodwood is a master of persuasion. Why? Because he'll have much better current offers elsewhere.
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Naw, there is a big afro image seared into most of our retinas, last year will never be forgotten. I don't believe we will sign Fabregas, but there again, nobody in here (or in the media, it seems) has a single clue what LVG is planning and I find that quite refreshing and a whole load more professional than last year.
 
alastair said:
There are so many United fans who just don't want to accept last year happened. It's almost pointless trying to get through to them.

If you sign Fabregas, it'll be because you offered him astronomical wages and Woodwood is a master of persuasion. Why? Because he'll have much better current offers elsewhere.
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So the offer that pays him the most isn't the best?

I hope you're not an estate agent.
 
Brightonian said:
And Liverpool just won't have the pull. Fabregas won't have been watching their much-vaunted 'wonderful football' (read: caution to the wind and got away with it for a few games before coming up against two managers with the savvy to neutralise that approach.) Ok, they've got CL football, but to Fabregas names like Sterling, Sturridge, Coutinho and Henderson - absolutely central players in Liverpool's season - are hardly going to scream 'top team'. They might not have the finances to attract him either.
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That's why Alastair is having a shocker in this thread. He'd normally try to bait posters to bite by saying that Cesc will go to Arsenal above United, but since the majority of the board already accepts that, he has decided to take it further and use Liverpool as a bait. And people are falling for that as well :lol:
 
alastair said:
There are so many United fans who just don't want to accept last year happened. It's almost pointless trying to get through to them.

If you sign Fabregas, it'll be because you offered him astronomical wages and Woodwood is a master of persuasion. Why? Because he'll have much better current offers elsewhere.
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I disagree many people, yourself included seem to think that one bad season suddenly puts us on level terms with Tottenham and Everton. Yes we aren't in the Champions League next season but we are still a massive club that can attract big players. Anybody with half a brain would choose us over Liverpool after 1 semi good (still won feck all) season in 8 years.
 
Erentz said:
Alan Nixon is pretty good with transfers IMO, he reckons Arsenal are trying to get Fabregas, and City are the ones challenging them for him. No interest from United apparently.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfer-news-cesc-fabregas-3632154
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I kind of want City to sign him now if we don't. Arsenal fans suddenly seem to think they are the kings of the world again. It seems like I'm back in 2002, except they haven't won the league for 9 seasons.
 
Brightonian said:
I'd put Arsenal as favourites, City narrowly behind them, us narrowly behind City, and Liverpool and Chelsea both some way behind us. Arsenal for obvious reasons. City because they're the champions and can still basically match anyone else's wage offer. Us because of van Gaal, because of our general reputation, because of the chance to link up with stars like Mata, Rooney and RVP but still be absolutely guaranteed a starting berth in his best position, and because we should be keen enough to pay the big bucks.

Chelsea's big money will be going towards strikers this season. Plus Mourinho doesn't suit Fabregas and Fabregas wouldn't suit Mourinho. Mourinho's CMs are always defenders first, creators second - Fabregas does his bit in terms of work rate and defending, but compare him to Ballack, Cambiasso, Khedira, Alonso, Matic and he clearly doesn't fit the bill. And Mourinho already ditched a highly specialist #10 because he prefers Oscar, so he's hardly going to spend £30m to bring in the less suitable Fabregas to play there.

And Liverpool just won't have the pull. Fabregas won't have been watching their much-vaunted 'wonderful football' (read: caution to the wind and got away with it for a few games before coming up against two managers with the savvy to neutralise that approach.) Ok, they've got CL football, but to Fabregas names like Sterling, Sturridge, Coutinho and Henderson - absolutely central players in Liverpool's season - are hardly going to scream 'top team'. They might not have the finances to attract him either.
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Good post, although he's hardly going to be looking at our team, and our midfield in particular, and be overly impressed if you take out the obvious big name players like Rooney and RVP, which Liverpool have themselves in Suarez and Gerrard. Names like Cleverley and Fellaini won't have the guy frothing at the mouth unfortunately.
 
Bestie07 said:
I kind of want City to sign him now if we don't. Arsenal fans suddenly seem to think they are the kings of the world again. It seems like I'm back in 2002, except they haven't won the league for 9 seasons.
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And not likely to do so, even with Fabregas.
 
Castia said:
I disagree many people, yourself included seem to think that one bad season suddenly puts us on level terms with Tottenham and Everton. Yes we aren't in the Champions League next season but we are still a massive club that can attract big players. Anybody with half a brain would choose us over Liverpool after 1 semi good (still won feck all) season in 8 years.
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We only think that because we're United fans and would rather he came here. Yeah, we're not Everton or Spurs but no CL football certainly decreases our pulling power and a choosing a club that came 2nd and has a prestigious history over one that came 7th and has a prestigious history, much of which was garnered more recently, is hardly something that only people with less than half of a brain would do. We can still attract top players, but a player choosing Liverpool over us is hardly out of the realms of possibility at the moment providing they're willing to splash the cash.
 
Cheesy said:
Good post, although he's hardly going to be looking at our team, and our midfield in particular, and be overly impressed if you take out the obvious big name players like Rooney and RVP, which Liverpool have themselves in Suarez and Gerrard. Names like Cleverley and Fellaini won't have the guy frothing at the mouth unfortunately.
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We are not after him apparently, but if we were I can certainly see him joining us. The guy saw us sweep everything apart in his time with Arsenal, of course he'll have admiration for the club, and I believe that was part of the reason van Persie signed for us as well. The players who have played against the ruthless United sides of the past decade hold more respect for the club than some fans do.
 
Bestie07 said:
We are not after him apparently, but if we were I can certainly see him joining us. The guy saw us sweep everything apart in his time with Arsenal, of course he'll have admiration for the club, and I believe that was part of the reason van Persie signed for us as well. The players who have played against the ruthless United sides of the past decade hold more respect for the club than some fans do.
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But unfortunately that's stuff that's happened previously. We obviously hope to rebuild and get back to where we were, but for now those achievements are in the past and to expect him to come here because he played in the PL when we were dominant is romanticism really, and if we're going by romanticism then he'll go back to Arsenal.

That's why I'm skeptical he'll come here. If he's after sentimentality and history, which is what some are reasoning with so that he'll join us, he'll go back to Arsenal because of his previous connection there. If not, he'll go for the club most likely to win trophies which can give him the most money, which is City. Unless we're seriously lucky in this one, I'd be surprised to see him here next season, not to mention the fact that we supposedly might not be interested at all.
 
alastair said:
There are so many United fans who just don't want to accept last year happened. It's almost pointless trying to get through to them.

If you sign Fabregas, it'll be because you offered him astronomical wages and Woodwood is a master of persuasion. Why? Because he'll have much better current offers elsewhere.
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We all accept last year happened. There are even more opposition fans who seem to think last year was the norm and we've never been a big club who regularly compete for the big trophies. Your lot and Liverpool fans being the worst. Carry on underestimating us. Last year was your best season in how many? Fourth and a scrappy cup win against relegation fodder.

I can't wait to put you back in your box.
 
Cheesy said:
But unfortunately that's stuff that's happened previously. We obviously hope to rebuild and get back to where we were, but for now those achievements are in the past and to expect him to come here because he played in the PL when we were dominant is romanticism really, and if we're going by romanticism then he'll go back to Arsenal.

That's why I'm skeptical he'll come here. If he's after sentimentality and history, which is what some are reasoning with so that he'll join us, he'll go back to Arsenal because of his previous connection there. If not, he'll go for the club most likely to win trophies which can give him the most money, which is City. Unless we're seriously lucky in this one, I'd be surprised to see him here next season, not to mention the fact that we supposedly might not be interested at all.
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He's already gone back due to sentimentality to Barcelona when they were overstocked in midfield. That didn't turn out too well. That'll seem like a risk to him while considering going back to Arsenal because of sentimentality who are stockpiled in the creative midfield department as well. Sentimentality will be the last thing on his mind this time.

I agree about City though. Could definitely see them signing him if Toure is intent on leaving. Wouldn't rule us or Arsenal out as well but City are the favorites in my book.
 
Money and CL aren't the only factors. Old Trafford trumps Anfield. Playing alongside Rooney, Mata, De Gea and RVP trumps playing alongside Suarez and Gerrard (particularly in Fabregas' case). LVG trumps Rodgers.

And players are quite capable of differentiating between a team that can compete for the Champions League (even if said team aren't in the competition this year), and a team that is in the Champions League but are less equipped to compete for it and likely to struggle.
 
alastair said:
I don't really see how United's 5 other average CMs will be a massive pull to Fabregas, to be honest. Top players want to be accompanied by players on their level.
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Are you trying to say that there's absolutely no real chance, not even a slim one, of Cesc joining Arsenal ?
 
Brightonian said:
I'd put Arsenal as favourites, City narrowly behind them, us narrowly behind City, and Liverpool and Chelsea both some way behind us. Arsenal for obvious reasons. City because they're the champions and can still basically match anyone else's wage offer. Us because of van Gaal, because of our general reputation, because of the chance to link up with stars like Mata, Rooney and RVP but still be absolutely guaranteed a starting berth in his best position, and because we should be keen enough to pay the big bucks.

Chelsea's big money will be going towards strikers this season. Plus Mourinho doesn't suit Fabregas and Fabregas wouldn't suit Mourinho. Mourinho's CMs are always defenders first, creators second - Fabregas does his bit in terms of work rate and defending, but compare him to Ballack, Cambiasso, Khedira, Alonso, Matic and he clearly doesn't fit the bill. And Mourinho already ditched a highly specialist #10 because he prefers Oscar, so he's hardly going to spend £30m to bring in the less suitable Fabregas to play there.

And Liverpool just won't have the pull. Fabregas won't have been watching their much-vaunted 'wonderful football' (read: caution to the wind and got away with it for a few games before coming up against two managers with the savvy to neutralise that approach.) Ok, they've got CL football, but to Fabregas names like Sterling, Sturridge, Coutinho and Henderson - absolutely central players in Liverpool's season - are hardly going to scream 'top team'. They might not have the finances to attract him either.
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That last paragraph is another load of bollocks.
 
alastair said:
There are so many United fans who just don't want to accept last year happened. It's almost pointless trying to get through to them.

If you sign Fabregas, it'll be because you offered him astronomical wages and Woodwood is a master of persuasion. Why? Because he'll have much better current offers elsewhere.
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So what?

He'd have as much chance of winning trophies at United and probably be better paid over a 5 year contract.

Last season was a disaster for United but they've moved on and want to move forward with a new man.

Arsenal have finished 4th, despite being top for ages and given a new deal to a manager seemingly scared to spend and fixated on the top 4 only.
 
I thought the Arsenal first option only came into force if he actually stated to Barcelona that he wanted to go to Arsenal. He could just as easily go somewhere else.
 
Cheesy said:
Good post, although he's hardly going to be looking at our team, and our midfield in particular, and be overly impressed if you take out the obvious big name players like Rooney and RVP, which Liverpool have themselves in Suarez and Gerrard. Names like Cleverley and Fellaini won't have the guy frothing at the mouth unfortunately.
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Yes, but as I pointed out those names were some of Liverpool's key players. (Ok, so I guess I left out Suarez, but that's basically it in terms of appealing names.) Whereas in Fellaini and Cleverley you've picked out two peripheral and much-maligned members of our squad - Rooney, RVP, Mata, Januzaj and Kagawa would be a fairer comparison, and I'm sure you can see the difference.
 
Fergie's Man said:
I don't believe that LVG is a man to hang around, if he wants something. I am sure he has his finger on the pulse and his foot in Woodward's erse.
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I hope so, but the fact it's a World Cup year and him managing the Netherlands is a tad worrying on our part.
 
Cesc would be a perfect signing. I think that much is obvious. He has proved he can do it in the PL in a 2 man midfield since he was about 16. He'd be a wonderful addition.

Must admit it would be really strange seeing him in a United shirt. If it happens I'll be delighted. (and shocked since its not going to happen)
 
Genius Me! said:
What would you say your overall budget is?
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I'd guess £60m net, but I have no idea tbh.

Andy Heaton from the Anfield Wrap has said Ayre is in Spain to wrap up a deal for Moreno and one other. He's not one to usually spread rumours unless there is something concrete. I doubt it's for Fabregas though.
 
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