I think if you take out issues with Rafael and look at the deal objectively, it's a good deal. Yes, Digne is one of our better players but all clubs need to player trade to improve. Every club to some extent is a selling club. I think in the short term, Villa will get the better of the deal but I doubt it long term. Digne is a good player, who is out of form, but is also reaching the latter stages of his career. The deal has pros and cons for both teams and only time will tell who got the better end of it.
It is reported that Digne will be getting around 120-150k per week. The Athletic is reporting that Villa want him on a long contract. That is quite a risky strategy that hinges on them qualifying for Europe. Similar to the type of thing we did a few years ago. Given Digne has never been blessed with thunderous pace, and the fact he is entering his later years, there is a high chance Villa are stuck with a very expensive player in a couple of seasons. Obviously, should Villa get into Europe then they will argue that the deal made sense.
Now forget Rafael is our manager, Carlo still is for example and this bid comes in. For us, we bring in £25m for a player who is out of favour, on CL level wages and since Feb has seen his form downturn. Now, there is every chance he moves to Villa and recaptures his form but there is also a chance that he doesn't. Given our need to generate funds for FFP, can we risk turning down that fee for him?
£25 is a good price. We paid £21 for Allan who was 29 at the time. You could argue he had been playing at high level in recent years when we bought him compared to Digne?
Selling Digne now allows us to bring in two new fullbacks and potentially one further signing. The new lads are young and will need time to bed in, that is true. We will also make a significant saving on wages. Personally, I don't think we should be paying anyone over 100K given we aren't in a European comp.
It stings that we are selling Digne. It is not nice he is going to another Prem Club. But we need to raise funds to improve and out of our sellable assets, I'd rather lose him then DCL or Richarlison.
I just wish people would stop with the dramatics like: agent Rafael selling him to ruin us, villa are a step up (3 points and we have a game in hand), we losing our best player, Digne is [Poor language removed] - all of those statements are false and you just sound stupid.
It is reported that Digne will be getting around 120-150k per week. The Athletic is reporting that Villa want him on a long contract. That is quite a risky strategy that hinges on them qualifying for Europe. Similar to the type of thing we did a few years ago. Given Digne has never been blessed with thunderous pace, and the fact he is entering his later years, there is a high chance Villa are stuck with a very expensive player in a couple of seasons. Obviously, should Villa get into Europe then they will argue that the deal made sense.
Now forget Rafael is our manager, Carlo still is for example and this bid comes in. For us, we bring in £25m for a player who is out of favour, on CL level wages and since Feb has seen his form downturn. Now, there is every chance he moves to Villa and recaptures his form but there is also a chance that he doesn't. Given our need to generate funds for FFP, can we risk turning down that fee for him?
£25 is a good price. We paid £21 for Allan who was 29 at the time. You could argue he had been playing at high level in recent years when we bought him compared to Digne?
Selling Digne now allows us to bring in two new fullbacks and potentially one further signing. The new lads are young and will need time to bed in, that is true. We will also make a significant saving on wages. Personally, I don't think we should be paying anyone over 100K given we aren't in a European comp.
It stings that we are selling Digne. It is not nice he is going to another Prem Club. But we need to raise funds to improve and out of our sellable assets, I'd rather lose him then DCL or Richarlison.
I just wish people would stop with the dramatics like: agent Rafael selling him to ruin us, villa are a step up (3 points and we have a game in hand), we losing our best player, Digne is [Poor language removed] - all of those statements are false and you just sound stupid.
