Those image rights will be huge when he wins Eurovision.Who even knew he could sing?
Those image rights will be huge when he wins Eurovision.Who even knew he could sing?
The top 80% or bottom 80%?Those image rights will be huge when he wins Eurovision.
They are pre-tax numbers. His post tax salary is a little more than €15 million. If you take the bonus as the equivalent as the transfer fee that they did not have to pay, the actual payout is not a ton for RM.Is there any possibility those Mbappe numbers are being reported net of taxes, as is customary in Spain?
I have to assume that Atletico makes a run for him, especially if it is a free transfer. Atletico needs someone to support Koke, and while I'd prefer a younger player who has space to grow and become a foundational piece for the future, I'd rather Atletico save its limited transfer money on a defender or striker. Plus, Simeone does love Argentine players.I think Guido's a fine enough player, but he's a stabilizer type for Barca, not someone to build around. I'm sure Flick is looking to improve at the pivot, but I also imagine he'd rather mold a young player with attributes he prioritizes.
The problem here is that Barca won't be patient with Flick and if he falters badly this year, who knows if he will survive to see a second season in Catalunya. Perhaps that's the gambit here--that Flick is banking on at least 2 seasons and is willing to experience some pain this season in order to set the club up for real success next. I mean, the truth is Barca at its worst still finishes top 4 9/10. So he will be measured on whether he competes for the title or not, and how the club performs in UCL.
I’ve been more than critical of Barca’s recruitment of older players at the expense of younger ones, but Guido made a ton of sense. He’s free, plays a position of need, he’s a high quality player, he can distribute well, and did I mention he’s free? Barca B have two highly rated 6s, the two Marcs (Bernal and Casado). IIRC Xavi was going to bring them both on the summer tour. Casado in particular looks close to ready and captains Barca B. Having one or both learn the position under the tutelage of Guido made so much sense to me.I think Guido's a fine enough player, but he's a stabilizer type for Barca, not someone to build around. I'm sure Flick is looking to improve at the pivot, but I also imagine he'd rather mold a young player with attributes he prioritizes.
The problem here is that Barca won't be patient with Flick and if he falters badly this year, who knows if he will survive to see a second season in Catalunya. Perhaps that's the gambit here--that Flick is banking on at least 2 seasons and is willing to experience some pain this season in order to set the club up for real success next. I mean, the truth is Barca at its worst still finishes top 4 9/10. So he will be measured on whether he competes for the title or not, and how the club performs in UCL.
I disagree. Yamal and Raph are perfectly capable starters on Day 1. Ferran isn't at his best hugging the touchline, but he's comfortable playing wide (although I do think his best position is in the middle).Barca are reportedly in on Mikel Merino, who will be a hot commodity. Real Sociedad did a great job taking the Champions League money and using it to lock in their current stars, but Merino didn’t want a new contract. He was always going to be sold this summer, and I expect La Real to wait until after the Euros to do so. They apparently want the to Joaos back. I’m not entirely sure what Joao Felix has done except for one particularly devastating goal at Betis in January to make it worthwhile. Cancelo had to play LB for the second half of the season after Balde got hurt, but he was culpable defensively on several high profile goals. But Barca has to ensure that Jorge Mendes gets paid I suppose.
I’ve been more than critical of Barca’s recruitment of older players at the expense of younger ones, but Guido made a ton of sense. He’s free, plays a position of need, he’s a high quality player, he can distribute well, and did I mention he’s free? Barca B have two highly rated 6s, the two Marcs (Bernal and Casado). IIRC Xavi was going to bring them both on the summer tour. Casado in particular looks close to ready and captains Barca B. Having one or both learn the position under the tutelage of Guido made so much sense to me.
It seems to me that the club’s most pressing needs are at winger, both in terms of the current roster and prospects. Flick likes wingers who stay wide and get their cleats white, as the old saying goes, and young Lamine Yamal is the only player right now who looks to be the team long term.
I think we just look at this differently. I don’t consider Raphina Barca level and if the Saudi’s can calling I’d say “yes” before they gave me a number. Torres is more of a tweener/9. I’d go all in for Nico if he was available to play opposite Yamal. Seems like you rate Raphina and the Shark higher than me, which is fine and you watch them more closely than I do.I disagree. Yamal and Raph are perfectly capable starters on Day 1. Ferran isn't at his best hugging the touchline, but he's comfortable playing wide (although I do think his best position is in the middle).
More importantly, there's noise that Julian Alvarez wants out of MANC because of PT. Makes a ton of sense. I saw a clickbait headline that said a La Liga club was interested and was devastated when it was Atleti and not Barca. If that comes to pass, the Aguero vibes will be STRONK.
Fair points. I was just putting more weight into Barca's financial situation. If Raph can be sold for even money or profit, I agree the club think about it long and hard. But if that's not the case, I wouldn't be in a rush to move him. He's an exceptional player and I give many players a pass on performance under Xavi.I think we just look at this differently. I don’t consider Raphina Barca level and if the Saudi’s can calling I’d say “yes” before they gave me a number. Torres is more of a tweener/9. I’d go all in for Nico if he was available to play opposite Yamal. Seems like you rate Raphina and the Shark higher than me, which is fine and you watch them more closely than I do.
Regardless the use of resources is questionable. They are looking at CAMs like Merino when they already have Fermin, Pedro, Gavi, and Gundo in a pinch and Flick plays a 4-2-3-1. I know, I know, injuries but how many guys do they want for one spot? Barca B has a really highly rated youngster too (blanking on the name) and no wingers in the fold. Limited money, I would personally look at wide players. Again, if you like Torres and Raph for Barca then you’re going to see it differently.
Marc Benal is the other pivot, and he’s much younger. Casado seems ready to step in right now though, at least from what I’m hearing. I would like to find a decent way to watch a little 3rd tier Spanish soccer but so far no luck.Fair points. I was just putting more weight into Barca's financial situation. If Raph can be sold for even money or profit, I agree the club think about it long and hard. But if that's not the case, I wouldn't be in a rush to move him. He's an exceptional player and I give many players a pass on performance under Xavi.
Barca do have 2 potential pivots at Barca B in Cascado and ??? (the name escapes me). But that really should be the first priority.
Have you heard anything about Alvarez to Atleti?
Those would both be excellent and shrewd pickups.Atlético Madrid have been busy. Looks like they have in fact lined up Dovbyk who won the Pichichi last season on the final matchday. Le Normand from Real Sociedad, who likely will be part of Spain’s CB pairing, appears to be next. To clear room, young Samu Omorodiuon is set for a move to either Roma or Napoli. I like Samu a lot and thought he did well on loan at Alaves last season. He’s young and a bit awkward at times, but if he puts it all together he can be a beast at the 9.
Agreed. Looks like both Real Sociedad and Girona are being raided for talent. On top of Dovbyk, Aleix Garcia looks like he’s headed to Bayer Leverkusen as the Germans look to deepen their squad. I do hope Girona reinvest in their squad as it’s starting to look like City don’t want the uncomfortable situation of playing Girona in the knockouts of the Champions League next season.Those would both be excellent and shrewd pickups.
5 Doner Kebabs that Aleix and Xabi are both in Madrid next summer. I'm already sad about it. Great pickup for Leverkusen. What are their goals for next season? Repeat league winners and UCL QFs? Treble?!?Aleix Garcia to Bayer Leverkusen, here we go! Verbal agreement in place to sign Spanish midfielder from Girona.
Fee will be in excess of €18m, contract also set to be sorted. Xabi Alonso, crucial.
Medical tests booked this week after he was not called up for Euros.
View: https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1800972538186785240?s=46&t=XvGOrrWIyL-5CHVVL_0JYQ
How often do swaps actually happen though?Swap!!! The last player swap deal I can recall also involved Juve (Artur from Barca). If I recall correctly, it was more about the financials that somehow helped both clubs. This one has our boy Weston McKennie headed to Villa along with Iling for Douglas Luiz.
View: https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1801310402690576387?s=46&t=XvGOrrWIyL-5CHVVL_0JYQ
I think the fact that the only one most people can think of was more of a dual sale that somehow allowed both clubs to get FFP compliant three years ago says everything.How often do swaps actually happen though?
Any time you can replicate a transfer deal that got one of the clubs involved in significant legal trouble, you simply gotta go for it.I have a dim memory of UEFA instituting new player swap rules following the Juve-Barca swap involving Arthur (€72m) and Pjanic (€60m) back in 2021, but all I can find is reference to UEFA investigating whether or not the listed fees were improperly inflated. I hope they have their best guys on it.
How does that work? I sell you mine and vice versa. The outgoings count now and the incomings are amortized?Swaps SHOULD be a thing to enable FFP compliance. But what do I know.
The offsetting sale of academy kids between Villa and Everton looks like it's moving forward, so maybe that will be the way to do the same thing.
Academy products have a book cost of zero. All sale money can be booked immediately and there is no purchase price to offset. The incoming player cost is spread over the contract length (limited to 5 years now). If you then sold that new player you could book the incoming money minus any remaining amortized payments. So in a 5 year or longer contract, if you sell the player after 1 year, you need to account for 80% of the contract as an offsetting cost. This makes academy grads the most profitable to sell, because you can spend 5x their price on replacement player(s).How does that work? I sell you mine and vice versa. The outgoings count now and the incomings are amortized?
Not so fast? Not gonna happen, but I think MLS teams should regularly check in with our best domestic players.I can see McKennie thriving under Emery. Good gamble for them.
‘Zactly. See my post upthread and the one below. Free FFP moneyHow does that work? I sell you mine and vice versa. The outgoings count now and the incomings are amortized?
Why would he go from big European clubs to Cincy?Not so fast? Not gonna happen, but I think MLS teams should regularly check in with our best domestic players.
View: https://twitter.com/kristianrdyer/status/1803893421196873846?s=46&t=GfuLFvTYcOxcFiCZjyIYZw
Non-zero chance Cincy will pay him more as a spotlight DP, and wages seem to be what knocked him out of the Villa deal discussions.Why would he go from big European clubs to Cincy?
I don’t think you’re wrong from the league perspective, but our best domestic players would be dumb to make that move from a competitive perspective.Not so fast? Not gonna happen, but I think MLS teams should regularly check in with our best domestic players.
Oh wow. That’s turrible.Just saw that. That’s a double kick in the eggs for me.
Newcastle trying striker by committee: Isak, Wilson and DCL all have trouble staying on the pitch for long stretchesDCL yo Newcastle shaping up to be another PSL double - Gambia international Yakubah Minteh going the other way. Minteh, 19, a winger, had 10 goals and 5 assists on loan at Feyenoord.
The Liverpool sites as reporting this as “Williams plays coy.”Looks like clubs can cross Nico Williams off of their wish lists. Even Chelsea found the money too rich for their blood. Plus he doesn’t want to leave Bilbao.
View: https://twitter.com/fabrizioromano/status/1804535873494507828?s=46&t=XvGOrrWIyL-5CHVVL_0JYQ
I think the "improperly inflated" is the key here - swaps (and technically as OCST pointed out in the Everton thread this is not a swap, but effectively it is) are okay, but you can't do it by inflating values. 10 million pounds is at the high end but still within the realm of plausibility for a young English player who's played (albeit very sparingly) in the PLI have a dim memory of UEFA instituting new player swap rules following the Juve-Barca swap involving Arthur (€72m) and Pjanic (€60m) back in 2021, but all I can find is reference to UEFA investigating whether or not the listed fees were improperly inflated. I hope they have their best guys on it.