And you dont think that is just tabloidese?
Gareth Bale
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And you dont think that is just tabloidese?
Needs to come back to the PL. I'm sure he'll eventually impress consistently at La Liga, but it'll be difficult to reach the heights he wants if he's in Ronnie's shadow.
Fekir and Dybala are pretty central, though, aren't they?
Gossip today is that Wenger will sign Fekir and presumably use him on the right of a Sanchez-Ozil-Fekir trio behind Giroud.
Fekir and Dybala are pretty central, though, aren't they?
Gossip today is that Wenger will sign Fekir and presumably use him on the right of a Sanchez-Ozil-Fekir trio behind Giroud.
Bale went for around £83m to RM 2 years ago, a record. Real Madrid aren't a selling club, they're not going to sell their long term Ronaldo replacement for a loss. He's still got a 3 year contract so they aren't in a rush either (all their players get boo'd from time to time), plus we're one of the few who could realistically afford him (with Bayern who will never pay that and maybe some FFP-struck clubs if they only buy him). They know we're splashing the cash with our new deals so if we're after him we won't get him below that £83m, we'll probably need to pay more. That's alot of money for 1 player who isn't fully suited to van Gaal's style.
Louis van Gaal came in when the club was shambles, he had to rush transfers and he was still assessing players when the season already started. He will now have a much better view of where he wants to improve, in 433 (which we're going to play) that includes the winger position - but it isn't the main problem. We still lack a box-to-box midfielder (not cheap), maybe even another midfielder for depth. We need fullbacks too, probably a centreback and also need a keeper if de Gea leaves. Some people even think we're also getting a striker.
Best case scenario that would be 4 players, worst case it'll be 7 (doubt that personally - probably 5 or 6 max). There's no way van Gaal will have unlimited money to spend, if we have to pay at least £83m for Bale that will seriously hamper him in chasing top targets for all other positions.
I echo the thought that Woodward will probably want a 'galactico' signing - but I'm not sure if that's going to be Bale. He might go for a top midfielder, we haven't really got a clue who we're going for there (Gundogan isn't a defensive midfielder).
Bale would be very expensive for what he offers and we could spend that money better since van Gaal hasn't really had a chance at a good summer transfer window. I would love it if we could still afford him after all our other deals, but I'm not sure if we have that amount of money (especially if RM want a profit).
Mata and Fellaini could possibly be sold to balance the books. A player like Di Maria or Mata should not be on the bench I'd rather have 11 great players on the pitch.
I'd say Mata's a perfect impact sub. versatile too, without being perfect for any role.
Why shouldn't he be on the bench, in your opinion?
Fellaini isn't going to be sold. In the past van Gaal's plan B has always been a big defender up top to switch the passing up with long balls, Fellaini offers this. He also said he underestimated the physicality and height of the league so selling our best player in this aspect after a season he's done well in isn't going to happen.
Mata is a possibility but I don't think so. He's a perfect van Gaal type of player and he's said Mata is his best performer who got left out for the balance (that's why we need a new CM). He's multifunctional and can play on the wing and is probably a good influence in the dressing room too, I don't think he's leaving.
Evans, Rafael, de Gea, Lindegaard, Nani and Hernandez will not be sold for a massive fee - I don't think that any other player will be sold.
Chelsea should probably be interested, he'd fit them perfectly.
On the right? They have Willian, Oscar and Cuadrado who all do more defensively then Bale does which is what Mou cares about. It's an option of course but I don't know if Mourinho would sacrifice the defensive workrate his right sided players give to bring in Bale. Hazard is a much better player then Bale so there's no way he's going to be moved around from his best position either.
Jose is a smart bloke, he can probably see that his team needs a bit more offensively if they're going to be part of the elite. Not like they're solid anyway. I expect big changes to chelsea's structure for next season.
If he is made available I dont think Woodward will be beat on price and if Giggs has any pull with Bale that would help too.
We've a good size pot of cash & can raise around 100 million from sales. Please tell me LVG has seen Fellaini's limitations & the fact, the fact, that he's a disgrace to the heritage of the club - I remember big Joe Jordan, possibly the last of the Fellaini ilk to wear the shirt & he had a lot more to his all round game than MF. It's time to end that experiment & get footballers in every position & not rely at any time, on lumping it up to the big lad.
The other panic buy has been he of the 14 year old like athletic ability, the lovely little hero of Anfield & useless in a dog fight, Jaun Mata. If Clyne is to be brought in, it merely underlines how much we have to move Jaun on, for he'll offer no protection to young Clyne, what so ever.
Lindergaard, Rafael, Evans, Nani, Hernandez, Fellaini, Mata & yes, Di Maria can all follow Falcao & bring in that extra £100 million or so. I believe we only need to bring in six players to replace those that should go & that this may cost around £170 million & includes Bale. That would represent Jose like net business spending, revitalize the squad consisting of LVG players & the best of SAF's, together with a good group of players developed by the Club.
The other panic buy has been he of the 14 year old like athletic ability, the lovely little hero of Anfield & useless in a dog fight, Jaun Mata. If Clyne is to be brought in, it merely underlines how much we have to move Jaun on, for he'll offer no protection to young Clyne, what so ever.
Lindergaard, Rafael, Evans, Nani, Hernandez, Fellaini, Mata & yes, Di Maria can all follow Falcao & bring in that extra £100 million or so. I believe we only need to bring in six players to replace those that should go & that this may cost around £170 million & includes Bale. That would represent Jose like net business spending, revitalize the squad consisting of LVG players & the best of SAF's, together with a good group of players developed by the Club.
Fekir spends a lot of time cutting in off the right and Dybala plays up top in a similar way to how Mata is cureently playing on the right for us.
That would be a hell of a trio, although it would stunt the Ox's growth.
Or we could see Bale as more than just a Galacitco and as what he is, a big upgrade on our current options to begin with, and as I said he'd be the cherry on top of the cake, LvG will bake that properly while Woody does the bale deal if possible.
Not really no. Madrid payed £80 odd mil for him just two years ago. No way are they going to sell at a loss (especially having sold Di Maria to us for £60 mil)
His agent has again said he's going nowhere and is at the number one club in the world. Hopefully we can forget it and let him rot in Madrid now.
I'm hoping really it's just a plan to unsettle Ronaldo, his old club talking about paying a world record fee(We know this was a big thing for Ronaldo) I bet it bothers him the attention not being on him. The last 6 months since all this talk started is really when all there fallout has happened.
I'm hoping really it's just a plan to unsettle Ronaldo, his old club talking about paying a world record fee(We know this was a big thing for Ronaldo) I bet it bothers him the attention not being on him. The last 6 months since all this talk started is really when all there fallout has happened.
A few hours later after Bale rubbishes any chance of him going to move... we sign Depay.
Coincidence?
Not at all.
feck bale never wanted him anyway...
Nope. LvG saw his performance and thought "feck that"
Great decision as Bale is overrated and way over-priced. By signing Depay I think United have got the better deal.
I don't want us anywhere near Bale. Say we sign him for 100m and it doesn't work out. Who do we sell him to that would be anywhere near half of what we would pay? He wouldn't go back to Madrid, Barca wouldn't touch him. PSG have transfer restrictions. Would we sell him to another top English side? The risk isnt worth it.
Dont help Madrid finance the Pogba deal, go for Pogba ourselves and let Di Maria / Mata have the wide spot. Get in another striker and whatever defensive reinforcements are necessary and we'd be set.
Let Madrid suffer from the Bale albatross around their neck.
Dont help Madrid finance the Pogba deal, go for Pogba ourselves and let Di Maria / Mata have the wide spot. Get in another striker and whatever defensive reinforcements are necessary and we'd be set.
Let Madrid suffer from the Bale albatross around their neck.
After playing so well for spurs why wouldn't it work out? Hes in Ronaldos shadow at the moment and has a loss of confidence.
Madrid and United are a step up, wouldn't be the first player to suffer from the increased expectations.
Delighted.
Very true. But i think madrid are a step up from united pressure wise. Falcao has been god awful all year and we cheer him. Bale was brilliant last year and is now being booed after a shaky patch in form. most players would struggle with that.
They don't need to sell, since they offloaded AdM last year and FFP isn't in play with for them. So if Bale wants to be a long term Madrid player, I can't really see him leaving.
Unless you think deals are done in a couple of hours, then yes. The Depay deal will have been going on for ages - months at least, if not longer.
The deal went into a ''stroomversnelling'' (don't know how to translate into english... anyway it means very very quick. Edit: hyperdrive?) in the past 2 days according to his agent. We may have been courting him a bit but we only pulled the trigger and got serious not long ago... explains why he still went around visiting other potentially interested clubs a few weeks ago and why we were the least concrete of the clubs according to Dutch sources for a long while...
I believe we tested the waters with Bale and even before his agent came out to rubbish a potential move we already got wind of it privately in advance... something like two days ago...
He'll be at madrid for another year. Don't think the Depay deal affects any interest in Bale. Depay will be paid for with the Nani money, plus the savings on his, Cleverley & Andersons wages. Good chance Januzaj leaves too, perhaps on loan to PSV.
The way this can be hidden is if De Gea forms part of any deal. That allows Madrid to save face because the deal can be "valued" at whatever the clubs decide.
They seem to want De Gea badly. If we still want Bale I can see the clubs making it work.
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The deal went into a ''stroomversnelling'' (don't know how to translate into english... anyway it means very very quick. Edit: hyperdrive?) in the past 2 days according to his agent. We may have been courting him a bit but we only pulled the trigger and got serious not long ago... explains why he still went around visiting other potentially interested clubs a few weeks ago and why we were the least concrete of the clubs according to Dutch sources for a long while...
I believe we tested the waters with Bale and even before his agent came out to rubbish a potential move we already got wind of it privately in advance... something like two days ago...
Fair enough.
I still dont think they're likely to be linked. I suspect if United have discussed Bale with his agent they're well aware of what's going on. The comments from his agent that he "wants to stay" may very well be true, or they may just be a response to speculation in order not to have him even further berated by the fans. The reality is that he may not have a choice whether he stays - as was seen with Di Maria. If its made clear they want him out then I suspect he's well aware that moving on would be the best thing for him to do rather than stay and suffer.
As van Gaal said about Blind: a deal can be done very quickly, within hours.
Anyway we are all just speculating and guessing. A long summer coming up...
Glad we made sure to get Depay first and then worry about Bale just in case it becomes a possibility... Wanted us to go for Depay for 25m ahead of Bale for 100m anyways, considering Depay has the potential to be world class. Who wouldn't rather sign Depay, Hummels, Gundogan and Clyne all for the price of what we'd likely pay for Bale?
Obviously we're rich and all, but spunking 100m on a player who has flopped at Madrid and is more suited to a style we don't play isn't the smartest business decision.
Obviously we're rich and all, but spunking 100m on a player who has flopped at Madrid and is more suited to a style we don't play isn't the smartest business decision.
If you think the club would spend £100 million on one player - instead of addressing other areas which clearly need addressing, then you're mad.
I suspect we have targets - Depay being one, Clyne seemingly another - and others, who Van Gaal has identified as being needed to fill the gaps we currently have in quality in certain areas of the pitch. I suspect however there are certain players, who if they become available represent a "marquee signing" (as Woodward has previously put it) for which additonal funds will be made available. Bale may be one of those players but I suspect there are others as well - Pogba being a likely, if less realistic candidate.
But spending 60m for a bench player whilst playing a right winger at right back is more than acceptable.
I've no idea what you're talking about - but I'll take a crack anyway.
If you mean benching Di Maria, while picking Valencia then you're (at best) twisting what actually happened to fit some kind of bizarre argument.
Firstly, I suspect Van Gaal (arriving post world cup) like with other positions probably didn't know he was going to need a right back, or if he did wasn't able to get the player he wanted. Rafael has been largely injured and Valencia filled in. He's been in the side when we've hit a decent run of form and therefore stayed in it. Which seems eminently sensible to me.
Secondly, Di Maria was clearly bought with the intention to play him regularly - to the extent that Van Gaal has tried him in various positions to get the best out of him. He (as opposed to Valencia) found himself out of the side when they hit a decent run of form and as such hasn't been able to get back in. That (again) seems fair and sensible to me.
As it is almost everyone would ahve expected Di Maria to be a success and he was brought in to add pace to our attack - which, if he gets settled, he may still do.
How that relates to Bale though, I dont know.
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Di Maria wasn't bought as a bench player and he still has a good chance to be a key player for us long-term. And I don't think anyone was happy with that fee anyway, it was already then way too much money. Doesn't mean we should do that kind of signing again. Valencia hasn't been that bad as RB this season, but we will sign another one this summer, don't know what he has to do with it, main problem is that our RB choice for the last few years is a big crock and LvG seems to only
Only way this happens is if Real indicate to us that they would be willing to sell.
If they do that, I am certain we would cough up the money and it would likely at least match the amount they paid.
If they do that, I am certain we would cough up the money and it would likely at least match the amount they paid.
I think he was our main target and he made his decision in the last few days that he is staying at Rea Madrid, therefore we moved in to get Depay quickly. I would like to hope we can sign both of them but after the comments Bale's agent made today, I think Bale wants to stay at Madrid.
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