Fabregas

[JustAFan]

Some people have been saying that this would have been sounded out before we made the (alleged?) bid. So why has there not been a swift rebuttal from Barca yet?

Neither have they confirmed, or otherwise, that they received a bid.

There is no official confirmation from any party yet right? Just reports on SKy and BBC citing un-named sources. So I am going to stay relaxed on this one especially coming so quickly on the heals of the whole Thiago rumor thing.

But this attitude has already tick off some United fans I talk to via emails, so it seems I am not being a very good muppet on this.

 

[StuCol]

I've no idea why, but I'll lose no sleep over it.

Wasn't suggesting you should be banned. More that you would be banned.

 

[FCBarca]

Just read this Tweet:

From the same source that broke the Thiago to Bayern story. If they get Thiago Silva, surely they need to raise some more funds and get someone else off the wage bill too?!

They cut quite a bit from the wages with the sale of Villa, he was 3rd highest in the squad and Silva has supposedly agreed to cutting his salary to fit into the wage structure at the club. I find the sale of Mascherano with more legs than the Fabregas one. Their annual transfer kitty is slated at a net €50 million and with a few more sales in the pipeline, this wouldn't preclude them from a Thiago Silva or Marquinhos deal.

 

[.Rossi]

God you people are so depressing!

"It's not going to happen My cat hurt his paw Thiago broke our hearts! "

It's Cesc! We're in for him! Start wanking now!!

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I doubt well make a really big money signing this season. I can see us signing good players on bargain deals like we did with kagawa. But spending 30 to 40 million on one player, it would surprise me. And that's what it would require with fabregas.

 

[Stickles]

It's one thing disbelieving @ITKAgent4451 but the sources of Sky, BBC, Telegraph, The Sun, Guardian, Times and Mail - if they all corroborate the same thing sure have a credibility none here are in a position to reject.

 

[Raven Blade]

I just can't see this one happening.

I get the feeling that we'll be hearing from Fabregas fairly soon, and it won't be positive news. When you think about it, he's already spent 8 seasons in the Premier League, and only 2 in La Liga. Why would he leave home again, so soon? Xavi and Iniesta can't go on forever and Thiago leaving means one less midfielder to compete against.

 

[Ish]

FFs, I thought the Thiago "summer 2013 muppet thread" was finally done (and quite early this year compared to other years too) and not even a day has passed...& here we go again!

 

[NotoriousISSY]

I doubt well make a really big money signing this season. I can see us signing good players on bargain deals like we did with kagawa. But spending 30 to 40 million on one player, it would surprise me. And that's what it would require with fabregas.

I'm sure the club are looking to give Moyes what he needs to get going. If he tells them he needs a record breaking transfer deal for a proven player, they'll back him, they have to. Whether any of these moves come off is another matter.

 

[Varun]

I refuse to be sucked into this after the ThiagOFF fiasco.

I just dont see why Barca would sell 2 fantastic CMs in one window.

 

[StuCol]

It's one thing disbelieving @ITKAgent4451 but the sources of Sky, BBC, Telegraph, The Sun, Guardian, Times and Mail - if they all corroborate the same thing sure have a credibility none here are in a position to reject.

Agreed. so we've made a bid. Don't think Barca will sell though

 

[The Neviller]

I've no idea if we'll sign him or not, I'm just questioning what these supposed fake bids are supposed to achieve, and how not signing people appeases anyone. I didn't read that we'd bid and think "Oh well, at least we've bid. Doesn't matter if we sign anyone, just bidding proves we're massive" and I very much doubt anyone did, or would.

If those running our club aren't stupid, they must think we all are.

 

[Dante]

Has this been leaked from the Manchester or Barcelona end?

 

[Sultan]

To be fair, Fabregas ticks all the boxes. Most importantly he's used to England and the Premier League.

 

[RedSky]

I refuse to be sucked into this after the ThiagOFF fiasco.

I just dont see why Barca would sell 2 fantastic CMs in one window.

Well that depends, with the money they could buy Silva and then buy another budget midfielder, or promote one of their youngsters.

 

[Stickles]

Agreed. so we've made a bid. Don't think Barca will sell though

Well the lack of instant rejection is interesting. Barcelona will have had this news for a few hours now and know its doing the rounds in Spain as well as here. Yet to date there's been no public rejection. Maybe they're having to mull it over, discuss it with the player. I don't think they'll sell for the £25.9m but if they weren't selling at all I think we'd know by now.

 

[Adzzz]

The BBC and the Guardian are probably the most respect-worthy news reporters in the country. Especially the BBC regarding football. So the bid shouldn't be in question.

 

[The Neviller]

Has this been leaked from the Manchester or Barcelona end?

Spanish media apparently.

 

[Sassy Colin]

There is no official confirmation from any party yet right? Just reports on SKy and BBC citing un-named sources. So I am going to stay relaxed on this one especially coming so quickly on the heals of the whole Thiago rumor thing.

But this attitude has already tick off some United fans I talk to via emails, so it seems I am not being a very good muppet on this.

Don't forget that if the BBC runs with it, it MUST be true...

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I'm sure the club are looking to give Moyes what he needs to get going. If he tells them he needs a record breaking transfer deal for a proven player, they'll back him, they have to. Whether any of these moves come off is another matter.

Possibly. From the recent past though, we seem to not care to overpay for young players or for deals under 20 million, but it seems we get uneasy paying over the odds for a big player.

I do think is vital we sign quality players this summer for central midfield and wide positions (if nani goes) even if we overpay a little.

 

[StuCol]

Well the lack of instant rejection is interesting. Barcelona will have had this news for a few hours now and know its doing the rounds in Spain as well as here. Yet to date there's been no public rejection. Maybe they're having to mull it over, discuss it with the player. I don't think they'll sell for the £25.9m but if they weren't selling at all I think we'd know by now.

They probably haven't stopped laughing yet.

 

[Stickles]

The BBC and the Guardian are probably the most respect-worthy news reporters in the country. Especially the BBC regarding football. So the bid shouldn't be in question.

The BBC stating it as a fact too.

They also make mention that it falls below Barcelona's valuation. To which the obvious reply is 'So there's a valuation then?'

 

[RedSky]

Well the lack of instant rejection is interesting. Barcelona will have had this news for a few hours now and know its doing the rounds in Spain as well as here. Yet to date there's been no public rejection. Maybe they're having to mull it over, discuss it with the player. I don't think they'll sell for the £25.9m but if they weren't selling at all I think we'd know by now.

I agree with this. It's been several hours now since it was leaked to the media. Barca seem to have had the offer first thing this morning, so they've spent all day sitting on it. If the player wasn't for sale, you'd think Barca would just send out a quick statement. Case closed.

 

[SirFergie]

They probably haven't stopped laughing yet.

Just me or is £25m more than enough for Fabregas?

 

[kps88]

I agree with this. It's been several hours now since it was leaked to the media. Barca seem to have had the offer first thing this morning, so they've spent all day sitting on it. If the player wasn't for sale, you'd think Barca would just send out a quick statement. Case closed.

They're waiting for us to wake up Australia time.

 

[Stickles]

I'm disappointed that thus far there's been no:

Shirt number speculation
Suggested songs
SkyBet odds

 

[StuCol]

Just me or is £25m more than enough for Fabregas?

He's probably a £30 million player, but of you are not considering selling then £25mil is hardly a tempter.

 

[Escobar]

To be fair, Fabregas ticks all the boxes. Most importantly he's used to England and the Premier League.

Out of all midfielders, he would be one of the best to sign. It just sounds a bit unlikely but let's see. I doubt United make a bid without checking if there is a chance to sign him

 

[Kaos]

I don't doubt the feasibility of us making a bid and going in for him, but I don't see why Barca would sell him after they'd just lost one of their most promising midfielders. If Thiago had decided to stay at Barca then this would have made more sense.

 

[StuCol]

I'm disappointed that thus far there's been no:

Shirt number speculation
Suggested songs
SkyBet odds

He'll be put off by the fact that we sing about Anderson 'shitting on him'

We need to change that song first or we have no chance.

 

[RedSky]

we could remove the h Stu?

 

[peterstorey]

You guys never learn, I thought this would have made you think twice...


THIAGO ALCANTARA moved a step closer to Manchester United last night.


Sources close to the Spanish Under-21 midfielder say a five-year deal worth an initial £17.5 million are ‘well advanced’ and that “only little details remain to close the operation”.
A few days ago Thiago was included in a new picture modelling the new Barca home and away kits.
But last night he’d been quietly cropped from the shot suggesting his days in La Liga are over.
And his father Mazinho, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, has put his Barcelona restaurant ‘Campechano’ on the market, ahead of an imminent move to England.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/5000874/Thiago-Alcantara-steps-closer-to-Manchester-United-switch.html#ixzz2Z7sbc4hA

 

[SteveJ]

Moyes said that Rooney is not for sale...soooooo, obviously we're swapping him for Flabbergast.

 

[Adzzz]

Yeah because The Sun is as reliable as the BBC.

 

[charleysurf]

I don't doubt the feasibility of us making a bid and going in for him, but I don't see why Barca would sell him after they'd just lost one of their most promising midfielders. If Thiago had decided to stay at Barca then this would have made more sense.

We had people claiming that United did not get Thiago because they were not "ballsy" enough. Are we now to criticize them for having a go, even though it will probably fail?
For all we know it's not the only shot at a top midfielder that they are trying now.

 

[RedSky]

You guys never learn, I thought this would have made you think twice...


THIAGO ALCANTARA moved a step closer to Manchester United last night.


Sources close to the Spanish Under-21 midfielder say a five-year deal worth an initial £17.5 million are ‘well advanced’ and that “only little details remain to close the operation”.
A few days ago Thiago was included in a new picture modelling the new Barca home and away kits.
But last night he’d been quietly cropped from the shot suggesting his days in La Liga are over.
And his father Mazinho, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, has put his Barcelona restaurant ‘Campechano’ on the market, ahead of an imminent move to England.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/5000874/Thiago-Alcantara-steps-closer-to-Manchester-United-switch.html#ixzz2Z7sbc4hA

Pete, you're misunderstanding the fact that the above article is the Sun. The article wasn't posted on sky sports or BBC.

This is a genuine bid, which has been confirmed by both Sky Sports and BBC. That to me makes it about as reliable as it can be without Barce/United coming out to confirm.

 

[Stickles]

In the twitter thread Thiago Silva to Barcelona for €42m has been mooted.

Maybe explain why they're not rejecting our offer out of hand

 

[blitz133w]

Doesn't matter what the price is. Barca will simply reject the bid. They cannot lose two CMs in one window. Xavi and Iniesta cannot play every game. I refuse to be sucked in this blasphemy

 

[Varun]

Well that depends, with the money they could buy Silva and then buy another budget midfielder, or promote one of their youngsters.

It'd leave them with the trio of Xavi Busquets and Iniesta in the midfield with Song and Mascherano as cover alongwith the Sergi Roberto kid that they're apparently promoting to the 1st team this year. I really doubt they'd be happy with this core considering how important CM is for them. I could see them selling someone like Mascherano or Song, not Fabregas.

I guess it should be clearer in a day or 2. BBC reporting it means there's a very high chance a bid has been made. Barca refusing it should be out in a day or so if they have 0 interest in selling.

What i find the most interesting though is that Fabregas very recently said Barca's is home etc etc and he had no intention of moving elsewhere when asked about us. And I dont for a moment believe that we'd have made a bid if we're not 100% sure that he's interested in moving. Doesnt add up specially given how much drama he had in moving there. With Thiago moving on, he'd get loads of playing time in the middle of the park too.

They probably haven't stopped laughing yet.

Why? 35mil would be a reasonable price for him. If we've bid 25mil, its standard open the talks bid.

 

[fergieisold]

You guys never learn, I thought this would have made you think twice...


THIAGO ALCANTARA moved a step closer to Manchester United last night.


Sources close to the Spanish Under-21 midfielder say a five-year deal worth an initial £17.5 million are ‘well advanced’ and that “only little details remain to close the operation”.
A few days ago Thiago was included in a new picture modelling the new Barca home and away kits.
But last night he’d been quietly cropped from the shot suggesting his days in La Liga are over.
And his father Mazinho, a World Cup winner with Brazil in 1994, has put his Barcelona restaurant ‘Campechano’ on the market, ahead of an imminent move to England.


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/5000874/Thiago-Alcantara-steps-closer-to-Manchester-United-switch.html#ixzz2Z7sbc4hA

It's the Sun vs BBC, SkySports, PA etc etc...It's very obvious we've made a bid. Whether he'll come? Well that's unlikely in my opinion but you never know. We don't tend to make bids unless the player has expressed an interest.