1 hr. ago
Manchester City have drawn an early line in the sand over Rodri, rejecting Barcelona's opening proposal and making clear that any deal will only progress if their valuation is met. According to TeamTalk, City were left stunned by the first offer, with sources branding it "derisory" and well below a level that would trigger meaningful negotiations.
The current picture is straightforward. Rodri wants to return to Spain, Barcelona are his preferred destination, and personal terms are not the issue. TEAMtalk reports that the midfielder's camp have already agreed a four-year contract in principle with the Catalan club. The problem, and the only problem of note at this stage, is the fee.
Barcelona's opening bid is said to have been £38million, a number that has not come close to satisfying Manchester City. Their own valuation stands at £68.5million, and there appears to be no appetite inside the Etihad to soften that stance. One source described the offer as "derisory", while another said it "took everyone by surprise." Those are strong words, and they reflect a club that feel the market value of Rodri has already been set at a fair level.
Photo IMAGO
There is also context that matters. Rodri is 30, but he remains one of the elite holding midfielders in world football. His experience, his consistency and his standing in the game mean City see little reason to sell at a discount. Even with the player's wish to leave now well established, the club's position is that they will facilitate an exit only "under the right conditions".
#rodri #teamtalk #derisory
The current picture is straightforward. Rodri wants to return to Spain, Barcelona are his preferred destination, and personal terms are not the issue. TEAMtalk reports that the midfielder's camp have already agreed a four-year contract in principle with the Catalan club. The problem, and the only problem of note at this stage, is the fee.
Barcelona's opening bid is said to have been £38million, a number that has not come close to satisfying Manchester City. Their own valuation stands at £68.5million, and there appears to be no appetite inside the Etihad to soften that stance. One source described the offer as "derisory", while another said it "took everyone by surprise." Those are strong words, and they reflect a club that feel the market value of Rodri has already been set at a fair level.
Photo IMAGO
There is also context that matters. Rodri is 30, but he remains one of the elite holding midfielders in world football. His experience, his consistency and his standing in the game mean City see little reason to sell at a discount. Even with the player's wish to leave now well established, the club's position is that they will facilitate an exit only "under the right conditions".
#rodri #teamtalk #derisory
24 days ago
Liverpool have done the sensible thing and told Inter Milan to come back with proper money. According to talkSPORT, the Serie A club have seen a second approach for Curtis Jones knocked back, this time worth around £27m through intermediaries, after an earlier £21.6m offer was already dismissed.
That tells you two things straight away. First, Inter want the player. Second, Liverpool are not in the mood to negotiate against themselves. The asking price is £30m, and with Jones still a useful squad option, homegrown, and entering what should be his peak years, there is no obvious reason for Liverpool to blink first.
The key detail here is the club's reaction. Liverpool reportedly saw the first proposal as "derisory" and "dismissed the second approach out of hand". That language matters. It suggests irritation as much as caution, and it suggests the valuation has now hardened rather than softened.
Jones is understood to be open to leaving Anfield this summer, and Inter have tracked him for months after another offer was rebuffed in January. Even so, Liverpool's position is clear. If the bid does not reach £30m, they are prepared to keep him. In fact, the report says they would even be comfortable letting his contract run down and allowing him to leave on a free next summer rather than accepting a cut-price deal now.
That may sound extreme, but it is often the right call when the market undervalues a player. Jones may not be a guaranteed starter, but replacement cost matters. You are not buying a credible Premier League midfielder, developed in-house, for peanuts.
That tells you two things straight away. First, Inter want the player. Second, Liverpool are not in the mood to negotiate against themselves. The asking price is £30m, and with Jones still a useful squad option, homegrown, and entering what should be his peak years, there is no obvious reason for Liverpool to blink first.
The key detail here is the club's reaction. Liverpool reportedly saw the first proposal as "derisory" and "dismissed the second approach out of hand". That language matters. It suggests irritation as much as caution, and it suggests the valuation has now hardened rather than softened.
Jones is understood to be open to leaving Anfield this summer, and Inter have tracked him for months after another offer was rebuffed in January. Even so, Liverpool's position is clear. If the bid does not reach £30m, they are prepared to keep him. In fact, the report says they would even be comfortable letting his contract run down and allowing him to leave on a free next summer rather than accepting a cut-price deal now.
That may sound extreme, but it is often the right call when the market undervalues a player. Jones may not be a guaranteed starter, but replacement cost matters. You are not buying a credible Premier League midfielder, developed in-house, for peanuts.
1 month ago
Marco Gabbiadini has been talking about Sandro Tonali leaving Newcastle United.
The Italy international making his move to Tottenham.
Still waiting official confirmation but it obviously is a done deal.
Tottenham had tried to lowball Newcastle United with a derisory £75m offer, that then increased to £90m.
However, United insistent on their £100m valuation if Sandro Tonali was to leave and Tottenham forced to meet that figure. With a £92.5m transfer fee and then another £7.5m in “very achievable” future add-ons.
The Italy international making his move to Tottenham.
Still waiting official confirmation but it obviously is a done deal.
Tottenham had tried to lowball Newcastle United with a derisory £75m offer, that then increased to £90m.
However, United insistent on their £100m valuation if Sandro Tonali was to leave and Tottenham forced to meet that figure. With a £92.5m transfer fee and then another £7.5m in “very achievable” future add-ons.
