Sunday's gossip

Local papers claiming that LVG & United pressed Barcelona over a loan deal for Adama Traoré until the very end of the window but the club insisted he stay with the B team
 
TRANSFER GOSSIP
_77574326_sexpress.jpg

Sunday Express back page

Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, is determined to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season - and will make a sensational return to Manchester United if he decides against joining Manchester City. (Sunday Express)

But Ronaldo could yet move to Chelsea if the London club are prepared to pay him a staggering £500,000-a-week. (Mail on Sunday)

Tottenham will again attempt to sign Southampton's 24-year-old midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin when the transfer window re-opens in January. (Sunday Mirror)

Manchester United will offer 26-year-old Spain midfielder Juan Mata as bait in their bid to land Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, 24, in January. (Sunday Mirror)

OTHER GOSSIP
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew, in charge of the Magpies since December 2010, is facing the sack after a 4-0 defeat by his former club Southampton sparked taunts by the Toon Army. (Mail on Sunday)

Hull City manager Steve Bruce is being lined up to replace Pardew next week, with Alan Shearer as his assistant. (Sunday People)

_77576475_felix-getty.jpg

Fulham are without a win in their last 10 games under Felix Magath

Fulham fans called for manager Felix Magath, 61, to be sacked after a fifth defeat in six Championship games left the Cottagers rooted at the bottom of the table. Magath only took charge in February. (London 24)

Midfielder Shinji Kagawa, 25, says he had "goosebumps the entire game" as he marked his Borussia Dortmund debut with a goal in a 3-0 victory over Freiburg after signing from Manchester United. (Four Four Two)

BEST OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski, 29, tweeted a picture of himself with Hollywood film star Samuel L Jackson, who watched Saturday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium.

_77574099_lukas.jpg

Lukas Podolski was an unused substitute against Manchester City

"Good game, unfortunately only one point," wrote the Germany World Cup winner. "Next game on Tuesday. But it was nice to meet Samuel Jackson after the game."

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster apologised for his error in Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Everton. The 31-year-old was at fault as Kevin Mirallas doubled the Merseyside club's lead. "Sorry for an awful mistake today, at an important point in the game where we were still in it. Need to stick together and stay positive," he wrote.

AND FINALLY
Arsenal midfielder Theo Walcott, 25, met Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton before his team's 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Saturday.
 

Because whilst loyalty is a word not often associated within football these days, I generally get the feeling especially when Cristiano talks about Man Utd that we are the only Premier League club he'd return to.
 
I can't really see it either. We'd be interested in him if he became available and financially we can spunk as much on him as anyone else. I don't think he'll join, but I can only see him going elsewhere in 3 or 4 years time if someone takes a punt on him at 33/34.
 
Do people really think Ronaldo would turn down Chelsea or City if they were offering him anything even near £500 grand a week? I doubt he would even have to consider it.
 
Do people really think Ronaldo would turn down Chelsea or City if they were offering him anything even near £500 grand a week? I doubt he would even have to consider it.

No but at the same time does anyone believe either would or indeed could afford to give one player 500k a week even if he is Cristiano Ronaldo? That goes for us as well. I know footballers wages are getting higher and higher but I think sooner or later clubs will draw a line and giving one player half a million a week, that is just beyond ridiculous.
 
Because whilst loyalty is a word not often associated within football these days, I generally get the feeling especially when Cristiano talks about Man Utd that we are the only Premier League club he'd return to.

I think it could be a Fabregas situation. If you didn't want him (transfer fee, wages and his age), I don't think he'd refuse a move back to England out of loyalty to United. I might be a jaded old bugger though.
 
No but at the same time does anyone believe either would or indeed could afford to give one player 500k a week even if he is Cristiano Ronaldo? That goes for us as well. I know footballers wages are getting higher and higher but I think sooner or later clubs will draw a line and giving one player half a million a week, that is just beyond ridiculous.
Yeah, it's stupid money and I don't think it's likely but even if they were to offer him a £50 grand increase on his Real wages I think he would say yes. If he does leave Real while still at his best I think it will be between us, City and Chelsea as I can only see him coming back to England and I think all three teams would have pretty much the same chance of getting him. The United he knew is gone now so I don't think the fact that he used to play for us would give us much of an edge at all.
 
I think it could be a Fabregas situation. If you didn't want him (transfer fee, wages and his age), I don't think he'd refuse a move back to England out of loyalty to United. I might be a jaded old bugger though.

I don't see a situation though where we wouldn't want him, even if it's just for sentimental reasons.

Yeah, it's stupid money and I don't think it's likely but even if they were to offer him a £50 grand increase on his Real wages I think he would say yes. If he does leave Real while still at his best I think it will be between us, City and Chelsea as I can only see him coming back to England and I think all three teams would have pretty much the same chance of getting him. The United he knew is gone now so I don't think the fact that he used to play for us would give us much of an edge at all.

I couldn't disagree more. I actually think the opposite what with the signings we've made of late I think it's evident that we are making strives not only to get back to the top of this league but to once again be top in Europe it may make him want to join us once again. I know the other two have also got very good players but I just think what with past history with us I think out of the three we'd be the favorites with City being the least favorite.
 
I couldn't disagree more. I actually think the opposite what with the signings we've made of late I think it's evident that we are making strives not only to get back to the top of this league but to once again be top in Europe it may make him want to join us once again. I know the other two have also got very good players but I just think what with past history with us I think out of the three we'd be the favorites with City being the least favorite.
I would have us as slight favorites too, mainly because we seem to be working with Mendes more now and Ronaldo and Mourinho don't really get on, but, at the same time, I wouldn't be shocked if he joined either of the other two.
 
Ronaldo at around 60 million Plus wanting somewhere around 400k a week
Or
Reus at around 25 million (whatever his buy out is) wanting probably half as much as Ronaldo in wages

Reus for me thanks... At his age and those prices city and Chelsea are welcome to ronaldo
 
I think for Utd the tough thing is to figure out how to politely say "no thank you" to Cristiano. Great player and he did a hell of a job here but we have moved on as we should have.
 
Ronaldo at around 60 million Plus wanting somewhere around 400k a week
Or
Reus at around 25 million (whatever his buy out is) wanting probably half as much as Ronaldo in wages

Reus for me thanks... At his age and those prices city and Chelsea are welcome to ronaldo

I'd say it would be a lot harder to get Reus than Ronaldo.

I think I'd still rather Ronaldo, much as Reus is brilliant.
 
Ronaldo at around 60 million Plus wanting somewhere around 400k a week
Or
Reus at around 25 million (whatever his buy out is) wanting probably half as much as Ronaldo in wages

Reus for me thanks... At his age and those prices city and Chelsea are welcome to ronaldo

As good a player as Reus is, he's not a Ronaldo and isn't likely ever to be at his level. Few players offer what Ronaldo offers in terms of goals and match winning ability.

The issue is whether we'd be getting the same Ronaldo. If he's not the same player it requires more thought.

That said - if he's even nearly the same player, having Reus when Ronaldo is bagging 30 goals a season mightn't look like such good business.
 
I think for Utd the tough thing is to figure out how to politely say "no thank you" to Cristiano. Great player and he did a hell of a job here but we have moved on as we should have.

If you think Van Gaal will sanction a move because he used to be a hero here you're mad.

If we move for him then we clearly believe he's got something to offer. If not, they won't bother.
 
No but at the same time does anyone believe either would or indeed could afford to give one player 500k a week even if he is Cristiano Ronaldo? That goes for us as well. I know footballers wages are getting higher and higher but I think sooner or later clubs will draw a line and giving one player half a million a week, that is just beyond ridiculous.

Not at all, one Ronaldo or 4 Youngs? 500k a week is merely the next step, we'll see 1m a week sooner rather than later.
 
If you think Van Gaal will sanction a move because he used to be a hero here you're mad.

If we move for him then we clearly believe he's got something to offer. If not, they won't bother.

I think there's a great number of folks both in the CAf and maybe at Utd that would see it as he does have something to offer. For me, what he has to offer Utd at this point in his career vs what that something would cost is a polite no thank you.
 
I seriously doubt he's looking for half a million a week.....tabloid BS i'd say...he's probably looking for 350,000 a week somewhere and he'd probably settle for 300,000 a week hopefully here....but I'd be just as happy to buy Depay next summer and watch LVG turn him into the new Robben
 
I think there's a great number of folks both in the CAf and maybe at Utd that would see it as he does have something to offer. For me, what he has to offer Utd at this point in his career vs what that something would cost is a polite no thank you.

If the club deem it a good move then the money clearly isn't an issue.

I'm not sure why people get bent out of shape over what things will cost. It's not coming out of your pocket.

Besides - there are huge commercial advantages to having a Ronaldo in your side. He brings money in hand over fist off the field as well.
 
I seriously doubt he's looking for half a million a week.....tabloid BS i'd say...he's probably looking for 350,000 a week somewhere and he'd probably settle for 300,000 a week hopefully here....but I'd be just as happy to buy Depay next summer and watch LVG turn him into the new Robben

I suspect money, whilst being important, isn't the only driving factor for him. He'll have made a fortune and doubtless could have made even more at PSG or City before now.

If he wants to come back he may be keen to make it work financially for everyone.
 
I seriously doubt he's looking for half a million a week.....tabloid BS i'd say...he's probably looking for 350,000 a week somewhere and he'd probably settle for 300,000 a week hopefully here....but I'd be just as happy to buy Depay next summer and watch LVG turn him into the new Robben

With FFP, nobody will give him 500k a week.
 
Idiot journos just going for clicks linking Ronaldo to Chelsea or City.

He doesn't like Mourinho and he'd never come back to Manchester and pick City over United. Neither would be able to pay £60m and £300-500k in wages either with FFP. Not a chance in hell.
 
If the club deem it a good move then the money clearly isn't an issue.

I'm not sure why people get bent out of shape over what things will cost. It's not coming out of your pocket.

Besides - there are huge commercial advantages to having a Ronaldo in your side. He brings money in hand over fist off the field as well.

It's simple, if Utd choose to spend that money on Ronaldo they get a very good player and lots of marketing return over a relatively short period of time. If I were doing the spending I'd invest in younger players with a greater upside long term. Simply a matter of transfer philosophy.
With the players they have added and are rumored to be adding in January I am not so sure if they even need him.
 
It's simple, if Utd choose to spend that money on Ronaldo they get a very good player and lots of marketing return over a relatively short period of time. If I were doing the spending I'd invest in younger players with a greater upside long term. Simply a matter of transfer philosophy.
With the players they have added and are rumored to be adding in January I am not so sure if they even need him.

Your argument falls down when you look at what other players go for. James Rodriguez went for loads more than Ronaldo is being touted at. For that money you're getting half the player with half the commercial appeal. The fact is, top players go for massive money and any longevity is reflected in the price. In general The best young players cost more than the best old players for obvious reasons.

The reality is if you sign a young player there's a chance it wont work out, or that even if it does he'll be off to another club in another country in 5 years - just like Ronaldo did.

The club are cash rich and can probably afford to spend big money on older players. Once the commercial benefits of having a Ronaldo are considered and factored I suspect its at the very least affordable and at best potentially creates further income. The bottom line is that if it makes sense on the pitch and results in success then the finances follow.
 
there is also the chance that Reus or whoever the flavour of the month is next summer, wants to go somewhere else (i.e. not Man Utd). Ronaldo seems to want to come to United. Either that or hes looking for yet another new contract. Maybe hes found out that James gets free pants or something in his contract
 
Ronaldo at around 60 million Plus wanting somewhere around 400k a week
Or
Reus at around 25 million (whatever his buy out is) wanting probably half as much as Ronaldo in wages

Reus for me thanks... At his age and those prices city and Chelsea are welcome to ronaldo
Reus at 25m means he'll get the rest of the fee as part of his wage.

Do you honestly think he'd accept 200k?
 
Reus at 25m means he'll get the rest of the fee as part of his wage.

Do you honestly think he'd accept 200k?
well isnt he on £65k now... a trippling of his wage plus no doubt a hefty signing on fee (though probably a lot less than ronaldos) would represent a big move for him.

Also with madrid seemingly fully stocked (unless they sell ronaldo) barca having a transfer ban and ffp potentially limiting some of our rivals im not sure he would have many if any offers that would blow that out of the water.

Lewendowski moved to Bayern for apparently about £150k per week and Gotze for around £115k so to put it in comparison those terms of £200k a week would seem a decent amount.
 
well isnt he on £65k now... a trippling of his wage plus no doubt a hefty signing on fee (though probably a lot less than ronaldos) would represent a big move for him.

Also with madrid seemingly fully stocked (unless they sell ronaldo) barca having a transfer ban and ffp potentially limiting some of our rivals im not sure he would have many if any offers that would blow that out of the water.

Lewendowski moved to Bayern for apparently about £150k per week and Gotze for around £115k so to put it in comparison those terms of £200k a week would seem a decent amount.

It's not about how much is reasonable for him, it's about how much his agent can get for his client. If his fee should be 50m and the buying club is paying 25m, you'd expect most (80-90%) of the remaining 25m to go the player and the agent.

It's simple economics, there's no way the buying club saves a lot unless there isn't much competition for him, which is the case with Levandowski and Gotze with them being determined to go to Bayern.

Having a full quota of players has never stopped Madrid before and that's not going to change. Chelsea and City can both afford that fee easily, it's not like they haven't spent this summer.
 
It's not about how much is reasonable for him, it's about how much his agent can get for his client. If his fee should be 50m and the buying club is paying 25m, you'd expect most (80-90%) of the remaining 25m to go the player and the agent.

It's simple economics, there's no way the buying club saves a lot unless there isn't much competition for him, which is the case with Levandowski and Gotze with them being determined to go to Bayern.

Having a full quota of players has never stopped Madrid before and that's not going to change. Chelsea and City can both afford that fee easily, it's not like they haven't spent this summer.

so 80% of 25 million is 20 million? over a five season contract is 4 million a year or about £75k a week and im suggesting he earns about £85k a week more than gotze and £50k a week more than lewendowski... so £200k a week still seems about right to me - he would be earning around £110k a week after tax which is approx 33% more than lewondowski and about 75% more than gotze
 
Being currently the best player and most marketable player by far in this planet, who could also guarantee you 50 goals a season, he definitely worth half a million per week and 60m transfer fees.
 
Your argument falls down when you look at what other players go for. James Rodriguez went for loads more than Ronaldo is being touted at. For that money you're getting half the player with half the commercial appeal. The fact is, top players go for massive money and any longevity is reflected in the price. In general The best young players cost more than the best old players for obvious reasons.

The reality is if you sign a young player there's a chance it wont work out, or that even if it does he'll be off to another club in another country in 5 years - just like Ronaldo did.

The club are cash rich and can probably afford to spend big money on older players. Once the commercial benefits of having a Ronaldo are considered and factored I suspect its at the very least affordable and at best potentially creates further income. The bottom line is that if it makes sense on the pitch and results in success then the finances follow.

Your last lines are dead on it, agree . If I was pulling the strings I'd still go younger, but IF they feel Ronaldo puts them over the top domestically and gives them a solid chance in Europe they'll probably try to do the deal.
 
Your last lines are dead on it, agree . If I was pulling the strings I'd still go younger, but IF they feel Ronaldo puts them over the top domestically and gives them a solid chance in Europe they'll probably try to do the deal.

Ideally you go out and buy a truly great player who is 23 or 24 - but they'd cost more than Ronaldo anyway.

Obviously spending needs to be considered but primarily the club should be looking at what a player can offer on the pitch. Ronaldo is pricey but you know what you're going to get, and any commercial aspect is a bonus. A player like Reus will have an impact as he's very talented but is he ever going to be a Ronaldo? Maybe, but most likely not.