We saw a link to Ramsay too the other day. I mean on the face of it the rumours are frankly absolutely ridiculous. We are in no position to contemplate paying their wages with FFP. However there are enormous changes coming, and things can't automatically be discounted.
I'm not sure how reputable Marca is. It's a story that fills column inches, but they seem to be one of the leading online news companies. So perhaps a bit more to it than one of the other sites.
Lots of things would have to happen to make it even a possibility. FFP would need to be suspended, or ended (the former is quite likely, the latter an outside possibility). Usmanov/Moshiri may spy an opportunity and be keen to commit. The players will likely have to lower wage demands. Ancelotti may want to be confident that he can get the best from them.
Each of the above could feasibly happen though. It's a long shot, but it's not as impossible as it was 2 months ago. I mean I do think FFP will be heavily looked at.
Moshiri and Usmanov have wanted to keep putting money in, and we know Moshiri has wanted a marquee signing. It seems from the summer Brands does his thing, and if a player of a certain profile exists, Brands passes it upstairs (see Zaha) who Moshiri seemed more keen on. I mean it's probably not too dissimilar to the 2nd season of Sunderland till I die, where the chairman essentially does the deal. It's not an ideal scenario but it's his money as they say.
As for the wages, it's hard to see football not agreeing a substantial wage reduction package. I think this could be more severe in Spain (and particularly so for Real Madrid). Barca have just reduced salaries by 70%, even if Bale et al agreed a 50% cut that would take his wages from a supposed 300k p/w to around 150k per week. He has 2 years on his contract to run. If you could squeeze Madrid down a bit from that, or even cover that salary it's feasible. I could see a clever 2 year loan deal perhaps being agreed at the above salary point if it were available.
The truth is, cubs who self fund are not going to be plush with money. There's very little demand for Bale. I think where City are concerned he's probably not quite the level they want. If you look at Liverpool, United and Arsenal, I rule it out because I can't see their American owners having the funds to be able to do it. Chelsea is certainly an option. We are weighing up Ancelotti V Lampard as a selling point.
It's my understand James contract runs out in 21. His wage is estimated around 130k p/w from one site I've seen. Ramsay is estimated at 400k p/w so is probably the hardest of the 3 to see coming in, but Juventus will probably be keen to look at options on him. Given it will be a selling market, options will open up for sure.
As a final aside, most teams strategy has been based around buying young and selling on. It does lead to opportunities at the other end of the market. Each of the above have been world class. There will be a question as to whether we could get them back cos to where they were (even 90% of it). I am right in saying Ancelotti has worked with James and Bale before? If the relationship is close, that could really help us.
It's on Ancelotti really. If he could get those 3 players even close to their best, they are better than any player we have currently. If FFP is reviewed while they will cause difficulties on the books it ceases to be an issue. In a market where players are looking to be unloaded new opportunities arise.
What we know from Ancelotti, beingItalian is I think he will know how to utilise older players. We have seen him to be an astute coach who's able to cater for players. He did this with Pirlo in his 30's to great affect, but that Milan team had all sorts of top draw older players.
I do also think Koulibaly and Allan could come onto our radar at substantially discounted prices on whats previously been quoted. Their value was plummeting before this crisis.
It sounds wild, but Moshiri may be in his office thinking, for maybe 40-50% of the wage costs we could add those 4 or 5 top draw players next season and have a real go at the top honors. No real transfer outlay and discounted wages and trust Ancelotti to get them to there best.
