shurlock

Not really. All Reed is saying is that we couldn't sign him under the specific terms of the loan/option to purchase. However, nothing legally stopped the clubs putting that agreement aside and negotiating a new deal, if they (and player) had wanted to.

Not so sure it's driven by fear; rather that it is the outcome of learning. Nobody knew for certain that Schneiderlin would make the step up from the championship or Wanyama would be good in a real league -uncertainties that would have been reflected in the players initial contracts. Once this information is revealed, however, there is every incentive to protect that value, before other clubs learn about those players quality. Does it mean doling extensions and pay rises to all and sundry? Again not so sure. It would seem to apply large to players whose value you want to protect (Davis, Fonte and Pelle have limited resale value) and players who have high, but uncertain ceilings such that big clubs are interested but still reluctant to make a move.

Pretty miserable to accept terms and conditions for a future contract, while knowing that you prefer to be elsewhere. It might be that Spurs interest only crystalised at the end, though that's inconsistent with reports that the two sides had been in contact for a while. Perhaps he had a genuine last minute change of mind but that doesn't smell right.

Didnt say it was easy or simple. My only point is that there is a strong cultural assumption, rooted in the sanctity of contracts, that you sign a contract and discuss it when it's nearing completion or its value begins to erode. There are exceptions, notably when trying to mitigate downside risk through the use of options, as in Martina's case. But generally contracts aren't seen as something flexible that are intended to be altered very early on, even if new information comes to light. Would a high potential player agree to an extension early on? Perhaps not. But for players who've demonstrated their value to the club (given there is always a risk ex ante) but are not ready to make the step up and/or are not yet on the big clubs radars, the benefits of security to the player are still likely to exceed the costs of being tied down, especially if a short extension comes with an improved wage. But that is unlikely to last with time. After all, one reason why we can call the tune with United over Schneiderlin is that we managed to negotiate a new contract, even though at the time he was only a season and half into a four year contract.

It's much less likely when a player first joins the club and the additional commitment is minimal when a long-term deal is in place. We knew Clyne would do a job for us before any big clubs took serious notice. And nothing stops the player being sold should a reasonable offer come in.

There's a case for extending players contracts as soon as they show they're cut out for the premiership. The extension doesn't have to be for very long. But a one or two year extension would go a long way to protect the player's transfer value. In Clyne's case, for example, we could have offered him an extension in his first year. With better players, the earlier things are done, the better since the club still has plenty of leverage.

Cheers.

Is he a credible sort - still in contact with him? 14/1 on skybet. Pretty tempting.

Guess you've seen Jrod up close - how has he been running? Still that have some 'burst'?

Think it was initially reported by the very reliable gianluca dimarzio and also mentioned on the juve forum.

MLG shooting from the hip again?

He was seen as one of the hottest properties in italian football a couple of seasons ago. Maybe he's destined to become the Italian Titus Bramble; or maybe the move didn't work for no fault of his own. It happens. Either way, we have a track-record of going for players whose stock has fallen in value.

You don't make an offer (contrast with making an enquiry) unless you're serious.

Live in the wonderful borough of haringey (the nice part). An amusingly chavvy but entitled bunch -like wham fans but without the backbone, more likely to turn on rather than get behind their team when things get rough. Guess that's what happens when your club rarely tastes any real highs or lows. Only Spurs fans could miss the irony of their little Harry Kane song. Mugs.

First-teamers or youngsters?

Yet the one poster, who's seen him play regularly and is generally an excellent contributor on here, has expressed some caution. But, hey, what do they know compared to youtube's unrivalled ability to extract to blood from a stone and giddy cheerleaders who've 'watched him on TV fifteen times like'

Too good for them -however much he wants to move, he knows it as well.

United officials were down in southampton today - the difference in valuation isn't huge, considering they've made only one offer. If United don't match our valuation, we will almost certainly compromise given lack of outside suitors. IMO, he'll be a United player by the end of next week, if not earlier in light of their US tour.

Juve forum saying they didn't accept our offer because Wham had already struck a deal for the player and they couldn't pull out (of course, this may just be rehash of other reports).

They've given the new (and more expansive) manager money to spend and are addressing areas of weakness. They're also competing on multiple fronts. Seems like a sound strategy to me. Could it just be prejudice on your part?

And Mané and Long. With so much pace and movement in the side, if this team is crying out for anything, it's someone who can deliver that final pass.

Bit of a f**k up if he was our no.2 choice.

And it also means that the TV money we receive each summer isn't swallowed in one go when we buy a player but can be set aside to cover those staggered payments. Anyway, neither you or I is informed enough on the subject, so best leave it at that.

Not sure where you got this from but if so, it would have meant less money spent in previous summers and a surplus carried over (to the extent there's a transfer kitty)..

Surely the Lovren money from last season was earmarked/ringfenced for a new CB (Gardos would have only taken a small bite out of that)?