Ashtonian
Banned on request
The difference with stones and mata though is mata was meant to have been approached and bid for 4 weeks ago. Which would make the delay and subsequent involvement in the team and telling sign he isn't leaving. If he was no part of any plan for the team then 4 weeks later and it hasn't been wrapped up? All mata would represent in that situation is income rather than a player, especially as they have already replaced him with the Dortmund player. So whether they signed pogba or not is not relevant as they aren't similar players.Ash, you do sometimes talk silly mate. Stones has been heavily involved in our pre-season, because he's still an Everton player. Doesn't mean he won't be sold if City come in with the right bid. Similarly with Mata (while I'm not saying it's in anyway a definite, I must add) he's still a Utd player and so Mourinho will use him in pre-season.
And how do you know it's us dragging our feet. You have completely ignored (in the Gueye instance) the other party in this, which is Villa... Plus, Gueye also has two offers (one from Marseille, the other is unkown) from France as well...
Stones however has not been in advanced talks at any point otherwise he wouldn't be here. We aren't selling stones for the money so if he didn't go then we wouldn't be negatively affected other than spending less money in the window.
If villa have put a release clause in the contract then they are powerless to stop Gueye going. We could have put the money up front and got him in for a medical and put down his personal terms which he would jump at considering it would be a pay rise. Simple deal that shouldn't take this long. Makes no difference if other clubs are interested, you don't do business waiting for everyone else to be turned down first.