Transfer Rumour Axel Witsel

[Woolly Blue]

So basically, we're his ten to two girl?

Nice to be wanted eh...

It's been a while, but I've had a lot of fun with ten to two girls !

In the same way that I couldn't afford to be choosy back then, we, as a club, can't be too choosy now. If we're second or third choice, then so be it. All that matters is that they improve us, make us more competitive and, over the course of a few seasons, put us in a place where we're first choice because we're both successful on the pitch and have the necessary finances.

Rome wasn't built in a day ( other cliches are available ).

 

[Connor]

If it's off, it's off. We move to another target.

 

[riddick]

I said an intermediary had negotiated contract terms with Juve, and had suggested fees to Zenit. Juve to my knowledge have not spoken directly to Zenit.

The comments from Zenit today did not in my opinion suggest a move to Juve was imminent.

The comments, which were ALL about Juve and NOTHING about Everton, did nothinbg to make you feel that way?

 

[The Esk]

The comments, which were ALL about Juve and NOTHING about Everton, did nothinbg to make you feel that way?

He is the seller and he's trying to drum up interest in one of his assets. He needs to encourage Juve to bid against us - that's how I read it.

 

[bluestevon]

City didnt have FFP restrictions.

They also had vastly more money that any other team in the league bar Chelsea, hence the ability to "cherry pick" from the English teams.

In order to "match" Citys first window in terms of spending we would probably need to spend in excess of 300-350m.

The Robinho they bought back then was a "Grade A player", probably the Pogba of his time.

He wasn't close to that status mate, now if you'd said isco or rodriguez/sanchez then thats a closer comparrision i'd have said

 

[ijjysmith]

If it's off, it's off. We move to another target.

I hadn't given up yesterday fully.

But i'm on the edge right now. Witsel was the one I wanted.

 

[Nymzee]

It still counts exactly the same, the vast majority of transfer fees aren't paid up front.

Just correcting those saying they spent £76m on him this summer when they haven't.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

I hadn't given up yesterday fully.

But i'm on the edge right now. Witsel was the one I wanted.

Were you convinced from the start he was the one ijjy, or over time, reading more about him etc.

 

[ijjysmith]

Were you convinced from the start he was the one ijjy, or over time, reading more about him etc.

I've liked him a while mate. Was little surprised we were ever linked to him really, as i've seen him as being a level or 2 above where we currently are. Like he should be playing Champions League football really.

I don't see any Russian football though (obviously) so a lot is based on seeing him for Belgium where I like him a lot.

 

[John Osters Love Child]

I've liked him a while mate. Was little surprised we were ever linked to him really, as i've seen him as being a level or 2 above where we currently are. Like he should be playing Champions League football really.

I don't see any Russian football though (obviously) so a lot is based on seeing him for Belgium where I like him a lot.

Like you I've never watched Russian league football and in the Belgium squad he's never stood out to me - Belgium aren't short of dynamic midfielders though so that's not a dig at the boy. I just don't think he's worth the hassle and wait personally.

 

[PeregrineT]

Basic contract law is you cant agree a contract without actually speaking to someone who has authority. Otherwise you are essentially just wasting your time. It doesnt matter how blue in the face Juve is after speaking to this person or that person and agreeing to this and that, until they actually agree it with the person at Zenit who have authority, it is meaningless.

 

[brieverton]

This will run for another few weeks.

I assume as the Serie A season starts later, then their transfer deadline is later too?

Either way, Juventus can just sit on this until their cut-off, and I wouldn't be surprised if he stays with Zenit and either signs pre-contract terms with Juve in the new year or leaves for a reduced fee in the January window.

I still don't think he is worth this level of fuss. Nor do I suppose the club are hanging on his word day-by-day, but it must be a complicating / nuisance factor in any alternative deals that might be in the offing. Why should we derogate that power over us to him?

I understand the complexity, and the disadvantages we have to work under, but this whole episode is starting to smell now.

 

[ijjysmith]

Like you I've never watched Russian league football and in the Belgium squad he's never stood out to me - Belgium aren't short of dynamic midfielders though so that's not a dig at the boy. I just don't think he's worth the hassle and wait personally.

Everyone's different mate. I reckon he'd be awesome for us. But fear my heart will be broken here.

On an unrelated note, I refuse to believe that Everton are waiting around twiddling our thumbs as this all pans out. I'd hope they are being kept up to date with it all, and will act accordingly.

 

[Connor]

I hadn't given up yesterday fully.

But i'm on the edge right now. Witsel was the one I wanted.

I haven't given up but I'm leaning that way.

 

[bluestevon]

I've liked him a while mate. Was little surprised we were ever linked to him really, as i've seen him as being a level or 2 above where we currently are. Like he should be playing Champions League football really.

I don't see any Russian football though (obviously) so a lot is based on seeing him for Belgium where I like him a lot.

He looks very good in a pretty bad league, as i've said on and off since 2014 about wanting him mate, he'd do well here, but he isn't an amazing player, just a very solid CL calibre one.

In that weird catagory of player that for the top CL clubs he isn't going to get them killing themselves to get him in but is regarded as 'too good' by the media for the level below those clubs.

Like to get him, but if we didn't and ended up with someone like Strootman, Kovacic etc i wouldn't be exactly distraught over losing out on him.