- Aug 31, 2012
- 16,060
- 32,852
I think he's overpriced don't get me wrong, but so much for Pochettino getting backed in the transfer market. It seems like we've dilly dallied here. I don't buy the stadium money argument anymore as the league's revenue has skyrocketed in recent years. Obviously there's limits of course, but there isn't much doubt that we could have afforded this one, especially if fucking Palace can.Here's what I know to be true:
1. Batshuayi visited us in March. My guy met him on the plane to London.
2. We agreed on terms and Batshuayi agreed to sign for us.
3. We knew all along the price was €40m.
This is supposition:
1. Knowing the price was €40m we thought we could play brinkmanship and take advantage of Marseille's financial predicament. We waited until the deadline came into view before making our move.
2. In the meantime we advanced discussions with other targets in an attempt to force Labrune's hand. In turn, Labrune leaked as much about subsequent bids as possible to force our hand.
3. We remained confident that because Batshuayi had told us he wanted to sign for us we could sit it out. Chelsea then moved late last night having presumably contacted Batshuayi's agent to see what we had offered him. They bettered it and sealed the deal and by the time we made our bid it was too late.
I know for an absolute certainty that my first three points are correct. I know someone who was close to Marseille at the time of the initial discussions. He is no longer involved hence why subsequent information has run dry.
Anyway here's hoping we don't pull the same trick with Janssen and by some miracle have a good striker signed for pre-season. We can't afford to have the average start like we did last season.