The Football Thread 2008/09

[Shime Waza]

Ronaldo wanted to go according to the statement:

"Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid," read a club statement.

"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.

"Matters are expected to be concluded by 30th June. The club will not comment until further notice."

[PES Fan]

Is there any reasoning why Fergie accepted the offer?

Because he's getting tired of Ronaldos attitude. He claimed before the champions league final he wants to stay, but after the match he says he doesn't know and criticises Fergies tactics.

[Christopher]

Is there any reasoning why Fergie accepted the offer?

It was £80million

[Red Devil]

Is there any reasoning why Fergie accepted the offer?

It was £80million

It was that price last summer as well. Just want to know what's changed from his 'wouldn't sell them a virus' attitude.

[Zellery]

Is there any reasoning why Fergie accepted the offer?

It was £80million

I think it was more to with this than what PES said.

They can buy four World class players with that money.

[Zellery]

Is there any reasoning why Fergie accepted the offer?

It was £80million

It was that price last summer as well. Just want to know what's changed from his 'wouldn't sell them a virus' attitude.

What's changed is that Real have got a new President who actually approached Utd in a friendly manner compared to the arrogant way of last year.

[Atreyu]

Does anyone know how Madrid can afford these sums? Do they have their own sugar daddy, for example?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8094864.stm

Much obliged, sir.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

If United sign Valencia and Tevez then once you include wages, signing on fees etc they won't have much left from the £80 to spend on others unless they have further funds available. If they don't then they are probably only looking at one more player worth £20ish million.

[Saint of Killers]

Is there any reasoning why Fergie accepted the offer?

It was £80million

It was that price last summer as well. Just want to know what's changed from his 'wouldn't sell them a virus' attitude.

What's changed is that Real have got a new President who actually approached Utd in a friendly manner compared to the arrogant way of last year.

Real didn't make a bid last year at all. Just a lot of gassing from Calderon trying to stir up trouble so the player would leave on the cheap.

There's also the story that when he signed his contract extension (a season before Real came sniffing the first time round) his people asked for a release clause. I'm guessing Real met it today.

[Zellery]

If what Real Madrid say is true, that Ronaldo will bring in £80 million revenue a year for the club, it doesn't seem like such a daft figure.

[Zellery]

If United sign Valencia and Tevez then once you include wages, signing on fees etc they won't have much left from the £80 to spend on others unless they have further funds available. If they don't then they are probably only looking at one more player worth £20ish million.

£25 million + £16 million = £41 million

That's only half the amount of Ronaldo.

Besides, Tevez isn't going to stay.

[Saint of Killers]

According to Perez they made 30m from playing two friendlies after they bought Beckham.

I can see it being true, I can also imagine these stories being put out as way of pre-empting governing bodies asking where exactly is the money coming from.

[PES Fan]

If United sign Valencia and Tevez then once you include wages, signing on fees etc they won't have much left from the £80 to spend on others unless they have further funds available. If they don't then they are probably only looking at one more player worth £20ish million.

£25 million + £16 million = £41 million

That's only half the amount of Ronaldo.

Besides, Tevez isn't going to stay.

Plus we should atleast have some funds for this season if we are pushing it as well as £6m for Campbell. Tevez or Valencia are not the players I would like to see at old trafford. Just blow the Ronaldo money on Benzema and Ribery for £40m each and then maybe Valencia.

[PES Fan]

According to Perez they made 30m from playing two friendlies after they bought Beckham.

I can see it being true, I can also imagine these stories being put out as way of pre-empting governing bodies asking where exactly is the money coming from.

Platini or Blatter won't say a word against Madrid. They will be supporting them all the way.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

If United sign Valencia and Tevez then once you include wages, signing on fees etc they won't have much left from the £80 to spend on others unless they have further funds available. If they don't then they are probably only looking at one more player worth £20ish million.

£25 million + £16 million = £41 million

That's only half the amount of Ronaldo.

Besides, Tevez isn't going to stay.

Plus we should atleast have some funds for this season if we are pushing it as well as £6m for Campbell. Tevez or Valencia are not the players I would like to see at old trafford. Just blow the Ronaldo money on Benzema and Ribery for £40m each and then maybe Valencia.

You didn't read my post. I said once you add in the other fees it will only leave them with the option of a player worth £20ish million. I'm not talking exact figures. I'm just pointing out that there are always other fees than just the transfer fee. Plus we don't know if Madrid are paying this upfront or in stages. I only mentioned Tevez because of other people speculating.

[Zellery]

I've never heard of any £21 million sign on fees in my life, sorry.

[Return_of_the_STAR]

I've never heard of any £19 million sign on fees in my life, sorry.

Seriously i'm not talking exact figures, just rough estimates. I'm including, signing on fees, agents fees and the big one which is budgeting for a players wages. Obviously the wages for Ronaldo are freed up and this gives them more money to play with as well. And by £20ish million i meant a figure in the 20's, so could be all the way up to £29,999,999.

[PES Fan]

The president of UEFA, Michael Platini, often critical of the manner in which sides from the Premier League recklessly throw wages and transfer fees around Europe, has slammed Spanish side Real Madrid for following suit.

The Primera Division runners-up have spent close to €165 million on just two players: Brazilian attacker Kaka and Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo. Platini believes this contradicts the idea of "fair play".

The administrator, himself regarded as one of the finest footballers during his playing days with Juventus and France, told AFP, "These excessive transfers are happening almost every day."

Platini is keen to address the fiscal environment of European football and is keen to adopt a socialist policy to continental competition by creating a level economic playing field.

"These transfers are a serious challenge to the idea of fair play and the concept of financial balance in our competitions

"UEFA is working hard with clubs to set up a new set of rules as soon as it is possible to clean up the system and give it a more solid, more transparent base.

"That is our top priority today," he concluded.

Good lord his against them.

[Zellery]

Okay fair enough, but as was said earlier, add to that another £6 million for Campbell and the money they already had to spend. 16 million for Valencia was already happening without the sale of Ronaldo so they definitely have funds to spend regardless of the Ronaldo money.

[PES Fan]

I've never heard of any £19 million sign on fees in my life, sorry.

Seriously i'm not talking exact figures, just rough estimates. I'm including, signing on fees, agents fees and the big one which is budgeting for a players wages. Obviously the wages for Ronaldo are freed up and this gives them more money to play with as well. And by £20ish million i meant a figure in the 20's, so could be all the way up to £29,999,999.

Honestly theres just not the Ronaldo or Campbell money, we should also have this seasons transfer kitty. I'm not worried about how we spend, I just feel we need 3 names to sign. If it was Tevez and Valencia then I would be disappointed because I wouldn't know where the goals would come from.