"It's complicated"? -- No it isn't, fuck off Barca - £113 Million bid rejected

[King Binny]

Is there any such thing as 50% possibility of a transfer happening ? Sounds like it's a matter of money , if we don't play ball on coutinho maybe they give sorting d the extra dollars they want and this happens , I'd imagine that is what will happen here

[article]"We know where he is and have contact with him and his agent through a staff member," Zorc said to Sky Germany, per Goal.

"We have a clear idea [concerning the fee] which Barcelona and the player know. If our demand is fulfilled, he will be transferred this summer.

"We will not make this transfer on the 30th or 31st of August."[/article]

[article]“Ousmane is really a good guy, but you can’t do what he has done,” Watzke said in reference to the Frenchman’s unexplained absences from training, which has “caused a distancing from the team”.

“He’s very young, he’s 20 years old and he isn’t mature. But he wouldn’t do this for any other club in the world, Barça are very special for him. He knew that with Neymar, Suárez, and Messi, it would be difficult, even though he wanted to go to that club last year. We told him that we would accept it, but not after only one year.”

As negotiations continue between Barcelona and Dortmund, Watzke made it clear that the Bundesliga club will hold firm.

“There are only two options,” he explained, “Either Barcelona quickly pay the fee that we are asking for, thus completing the transfer, or there is no transfer. We won’t negotiate. If they [Barcelona] don’t pay what we’re asking, he [Dembélé] will be here on the 1st September and I’m sure that he’ll be happy to return to playing with us.”

That statement corroborates the stance of Michael Zorc, Dortmund's sporting director.

Watzke concluded that “I see the probability of the Ousmane Dembélé transfer going through as less than 50%”.[/article]

Could FSG's stance be similar or is it really 'no means no'?

 

[Judge Jules]

On the face of it FSG's stance is different, in that Watzke and Zorc have both said there'll be a deal if their price is met, whereas FSG have said no deal at any price. The only way we'd find out if FSG might be willing to reconsider would be if Barcelona made a respectable offer, and even then I suspect FSG would feel they've nailed their colours to the "No sale" mast and need to stick to that, this summer at least.

 

[jimmy]

Barcelona are showing their true colours - a cunt club.
Hope they are left with their 220M euros and with no Coutinho nor Dembele.

 

[King Binny]

Bracelona 😀

[article]The signing of Philippe Coutinho is Barça’s top priority and have let the player and his representatives know this after the club were reported to be in advance negotiations for other players. Barça and the player’s agents are still working hard to make the transfer happen and have got Liverpool to agree to a meeting during the draw for the Champions League group phase in Monaco.

Barça and the player’s agent are staying calm despite Liverpool’s intransience. But the player has again asked Liverpool to negotiate and still wants to join Barça. He knows this is the opportunity of a lifetime and doesn’t want to miss it.

Barça have made an offer worth €130 million, which would make him Barça’s most expensive ever signing but has been rejected. They will now try to increase the fixed amount of the fee and lower the add-ons. Coutinho is the priority and the one player that is unanimously wanted at Barça. It is hoped progress will be made next week.[/article]
The Spanish press are certainly trying their best to play a part.

 

[King Binny]

 

[hmmmmm1]

We will probably end up with one of those Barca subs as a make weight in the courtinho transfer

 

[doctor_mac]

The 100th page. This means something. Possibly that we're a bunch of work-shy bastards with empty lives. Or possibly something else.

 

[Squiggles]

It mostly means Barca are a bunch of cunts.

I'd be surprised if that isn't typed on every one of the hundred pages.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk

 

[moron]

[article]"We know where he is and have contact with him and his agent through a staff member," Zorc said to Sky Germany, per Goal.

"We have a clear idea [concerning the fee] which Barcelona and the player know. If our demand is fulfilled, he will be transferred this summer.

"We will not make this transfer on the 30th or 31st of August."[/article]

[article]“Ousmane is really a good guy, but you can’t do what he has done,” Watzke said in reference to the Frenchman’s unexplained absences from training, which has “caused a distancing from the team”.

“He’s very young, he’s 20 years old and he isn’t mature. But he wouldn’t do this for any other club in the world, Barça are very special for him. He knew that with Neymar, Suárez, and Messi, it would be difficult, even though he wanted to go to that club last year. We told him that we would accept it, but not after only one year.”

As negotiations continue between Barcelona and Dortmund, Watzke made it clear that the Bundesliga club will hold firm.

“There are only two options,” he explained, “Either Barcelona quickly pay the fee that we are asking for, thus completing the transfer, or there is no transfer. We won’t negotiate. If they [Barcelona] don’t pay what we’re asking, he [Dembélé] will be here on the 1st September and I’m sure that he’ll be happy to return to playing with us.”

That statement corroborates the stance of Michael Zorc, Dortmund's sporting director.

Watzke concluded that “I see the probability of the Ousmane Dembélé transfer going through as less than 50%”.[/article]

Could FSG's stance be similar or is it really 'no means no'?

I hope FSG are following that same example set by Dortmund and it should be an example to all players. Contracts should fucking mean something. Also FSG should by now understand the consequences of selling your best player...it means that the team fucks up the next season and dont get CL...so no extra money to fill up Henrys boat.

 

[redblack7]

If he is their top priority they have a funny way of showing it:no move until Neymar left,some silly offer that undercuts lowball bidding and their latest offer of 130 million they say,16 million upfront says Reddy.!6 million folks-that is what our moneybag would have added to it.It's a joke that stopped being funny-they say they will "try"to increase the fixed amount.What is so complicated about No.

 

[King Binny]

[article]It is not too extreme to claim this as a couple of weeks that will define Liverpool’s season, if not an entire managerial era.

Anfield will host Hoffenheim on Wednesday night in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier. Progress from an already promising position and Liverpool suddenly become a more attractive club to sign for, one indeed with more of an argument to sell.

Sell, though, is not something Liverpool want to do with Philippe Coutinho – whose presence in Jürgen Klopp’s midfield is essential, not only because Saturday’s narrow victory over Crystal Palace reminded that Liverpool’s forwards need his service to be totally effective, but also from a public relations point of view.

Coutinho’s presence or absence will impact on how Liverpool’s supporters feel about the club in the immediate future, determining mood inside stadiums. Surely Klopp has learned from January how Anfield reacts when key players are not there.

No club is in England is as much a prisoner of its past as much as Liverpool but much can be gleaned from history as well. Klopp should know that the last four managers who have sold a player considered amongst the team’s most influential without sourcing a replacement have ultimately been sacked for their failings.

Though both managers were operating under different and altogether more unstable ownership, Xabi Alonso’s departure in the summer of 2009 and Alberto Aquilani’s arrival contributed towards Rafael Benítez’s departure 10 months later, while Roy Hodgson’s decision to sign Christian Poulsen when Javier Mascherano left still seems like it should be inscribed on his gravestone.

Later, Kenny Dalglish sold Fernando Torres and brought in Andy Carroll. By the time Dalglish was removed, Damien Comolli, the sporting director who sanctioned the fee for Carroll for a record fee had been fired as well. Then you have Klopp’s arrival and Raheem Sterling’s sale a few months earlier - a deal that did not reflect well on Brendan Rodgers, especially after he was convinced to sign Mario Balotelli to cover the loss of Luis Suárez.

It might be unkind to put this type of pressure on Klopp and Liverpool, especially when you have Coutinho behaving like a brat and stamping his feet after claiming only in January upon signing a new lucrative five-year contract that, “My football is here. My heart is here…You define the success of a player by his loyalty or his titles. Or both.”

A sympathetic interpretation of Klopp’s character will tell you that inwardly, he will have felt betrayed by Coutinho’s actions considering he places so much emphasis on team culture and the fall out has undoubtedly cast a long shadow over his preparations for the start of the season.

But that would be to ignore Liverpool’s own claims that they have a “world class” sporting director at their disposal in Michael Edwards, as it was suggested by the new chief executive Peter Moore. Is it therefore unfair to think there might be a “world class” solution to the predicament Liverpool find themselves in?

Klopp has said he will not sell Coutinho primarily because he does not have time to source a replacement but Barcelona’s first bid for Coutinho came in the middle of July. If a “world class” sporting director was in place and succession planning is a consideration at Liverpool – as it really should be, otherwise the club can be accused of arrogance, incompetence or both - surely six to seven weeks is long enough to do something about the problem.

There is every chance, however, that come the start of September, Coutinho will have some grovelling to do because Barcelona – a club not used to being placed on the back foot – have been after the sale of Neymar and their tactics in negotiations since has not been smooth or convincing and rather more a description of harassment. Setting deadlines on offers, as they have done, seems increasingly misguided if they really want to sign the player, appealing to the idea that they are in a PR war with their own fans because nobody wants to come out of this looking like they are not in control.

Ultimately, for too long, when Liverpool teams have made progressions, managerial reigns have been undermined by transfer decisions.

The next fortnight might tell us whether this one is going to be different.[/article]

 

[mark1975]

Klopp has said he will not sell Coutinho primarily because he does not have time to source a replacement but Barcelona’s first bid for Coutinho came in the middle of July. If a “world class” sporting director was in place and succession planning is a consideration at Liverpool – as it really should be, otherwise the club can be accused of arrogance, incompetence or both - surely six to seven weeks is long enough to do something about the problem.

I don't really get the writers point here. Is he criticising us as being incompetent for not selling? Succession planning isn't really relevant, we shouldn't have to be a selling club with a primary focus on planning to replace our best players (though I guess a contingency plan should always be there at a top club).

So what if Klopp said we don't have time to buy a replacement? He's also said he doesn't want to sell. It'll only come across as incompetent if we sell in the next 10 days. After the way Barca have carried on, we'd be dickheads for doing so, because we'll have allowed ourselves to publicly bullied into the move. That whole deadline thing was a fucking disgrace. Barca have been a disgrace and as he said, it's been a PR battle on their part, first and foremost.

 

[Mystic]

We're absolute dickheads if we sell Coutinho.

 

[Glen C]

Doesn't get any better for Barca:

Jean-Michaël Seri's €40m release clause expired on the 15th July, Nice can now demand whatever they want from Barça say L'Équipe.

 

[Oliver Twist]

Doesn't get any better for Barca:

Jean-Michaël Seri's €40m release clause expired on the 15th July, Nice can now demand whatever they want from Barça say L'Équipe.

It's like they're taking lessons from us.

 

[Mystic]

It's like they're taking lessons from us.

If only we hadn't learnt them lessons from Leipzig

 

[gareth_thomas]

What if they offered 160 million with 75% of that upfront with the rest over 5 years? I'd consider FSG idiots for not selling under those circumstances.

I don't for a second believe Barcelona would offer that ..but let's not kid ourselves , there's definitely a price that would wrap up the deal quick smart.

 

[moron]

Lets see if Coutinhio has second thoughts if Messi decides to goto City. Report on BBC that Man City will try and break the 275M buyout clause.

 

[keniget]

Klopp has said he will not sell Coutinho primarily because he does not have time to source a replacement but Barcelona’s first bid for Coutinho came in the middle of July. If a “world class” sporting director was in place and succession planning is a consideration at Liverpool – as it really should be, otherwise the club can be accused of arrogance, incompetence or both - surely six to seven weeks is long enough to do something about the problem.

I don't really get the writers point here. Is he criticising us as being incompetent for not selling? Succession planning isn't really relevant, we shouldn't have to be a selling club with a primary focus on planning to replace our best players (though I guess a contingency plan should always be there at a top club).

So what if Klopp said we don't have time to buy a replacement? He's also said he doesn't want to sell. It'll only come across as incompetent if we sell in the next 10 days. After the way Barca have carried on, we'd be dickheads for doing so, because we'll have allowed ourselves to publicly bullied into the move. That whole deadline thing was a fucking disgrace. Barca have been a disgrace and as he said, it's been a PR battle on their part, first and foremost.

I think pretty much every club bar a few at the very top is a "selling" club.

The wider point, which perhaps is what the author is alluding to, is that we don't have a world class set up behind Klopp. And it doesn't appear that we do.

 

[Glen C]

What if they offered 160 million with 75% of that upfront with the rest over 5 years? I'd consider FSG idiots for not selling under those circumstances.

I don't for a second believe Barcelona would offer that ..but let's not kid ourselves , there's definitely a price that would wrap up the deal quick smart.

Every player in the world has a price so i don't get your point.

 

[Windom Earle]

I think pretty much every club bar a few at the very top is a "selling" club.

The wider point, which perhaps is what the author is alluding to, is that we don't have a world class set up behind Klopp. And it doesn't appear that we do.

I haven't read the whole article, but surely the reason we don't have time is because Barcelona have dicked about on the fee for so long. The excerpt Mark picked out made it sound like we were making excuses, but the reality is that they haven't made an acceptable bid yet. Around ten days left and the offer on the table is £16m upfront - barely double the fee we paid Inter.

World class set up or not, it's irrelevant if the proposed buying club can't turn your head with the right offer (cf. Keita & Van Dijk)

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[King Binny]

Surely Neymar will have some advice for his friend?

[article]The ex-Barça player Neymar Jr, who signed for PSG, criticised Barça’s board on Sunday and said the club “deserved so much more”.

Neymar said that the people in charge at Barcelona “are not the people that should be there” in comments made after PSG’s victory against Toulouse. “The truth is it makes me very sad,” the Brazilian said. “I spent four good years there and I was very happy, but with them [the Barcelona board], no,” he added.

“For me, they are not the people who should be directing Barça. Barça deserve so much more and everyone knows it,” he added, “I hope that things improve for Barça and they become a team capable of rivalling the others”.[/article]

Meanwhile Barca's Sporting Director with his 'no release clause' excuse/reason again

[article]Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has pleaded for patience with the club’s fans as they attempt to bring in more players.

The Blaugrana have concluded deals for Gerard Deulofeu, Paulinho, Nelson Semedo and Marlon Santos this summer but are reportedly hopeful on deals for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele and Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

The club have come under pressure to speed up their negotiations following Neymar’s €222m exit to Paris Saint-Germain and the Spanish Supercopa defeat to Real Madrid.

“We are trying to bring in high-quality players but they do not have a (release) clause and that naturally leads to long negotiations with their clubs,” Fernandez told Barcelona TV.

“Playing at Barcelona is not easy...it is a different dynamic and players will need to know they are playing games.

“It was important we started well (against Real Betis) following two defeats (to Real Madrid).”[/article]

 

[737Max]

What if they offered 160 million with 75% of that upfront with the rest over 5 years? I'd consider FSG idiots for not selling under those circumstances.

I don't for a second believe Barcelona would offer that ..but let's not kid ourselves , there's definitely a price that would wrap up the deal quick smart.

If.....

The cunts offered £80m spread over 5 years. What makes you think the cunts will suddenly double the offer? And why would it wrap up the deal quicker? Their payment plan goes from £16m a year to £24m a year.

Let me remind you that these cunts received £200m up front in cash for Neymar yet expect us to bend over and give Coutinho away whilst being drip fed! Fuck that.

If they had any notion or intention of signing Coutinho they'd actually have put in an offer that was truly worthy of our playmaker instead of dispensing with these bullshit offers and acting like some paupers.

 

[keniget]

I haven't read the whole article, but surely the reason we don't have time is because Barcelona have dicked about on the fee for so long. The excerpt Mark picked out made it sound like we were making excuses, but the reality is that they haven't made an acceptable bid yet. Around ten days left and the offer on the table is £16m upfront - barely double the fee we paid Inter.

World class set up or not, it's irrelevant if the proposed buying club can't turn your head with the right offer (cf. Keita & Van Dijk)

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

True.

But in that case, why say anything about lacking time at all?

 

[Insignificance]

Surely Neymar will have some advice for his friend?

[article]The ex-Barça player Neymar Jr, who signed for PSG, criticised Barça’s board on Sunday and said the club “deserved so much more”.

Neymar said that the people in charge at Barcelona “are not the people that should be there” in comments made after PSG’s victory against Toulouse. “The truth is it makes me very sad,” the Brazilian said. “I spent four good years there and I was very happy, but with them [the Barcelona board], no,” he added.

“For me, they are not the people who should be directing Barça. Barça deserve so much more and everyone knows it,” he added, “I hope that things improve for Barça and they become a team capable of rivalling the others”.[/article]

Meanwhile Barca's Sporting Director with his 'no release clause' excuse/reason again

[article]Barcelona sporting director Robert Fernandez has pleaded for patience with the club’s fans as they attempt to bring in more players.

The Blaugrana have concluded deals for Gerard Deulofeu, Paulinho, Nelson Semedo and Marlon Santos this summer but are reportedly hopeful on deals for Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho, Borussia Dortmund forward Ousmane Dembele and Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

The club have come under pressure to speed up their negotiations following Neymar’s €222m exit to Paris Saint-Germain and the Spanish Supercopa defeat to Real Madrid.

“We are trying to bring in high-quality players but they do not have a (release) clause and that naturally leads to long negotiations with their clubs,” Fernandez told Barcelona TV.

“Playing at Barcelona is not easy...it is a different dynamic and players will need to know they are playing games.

“It was important we started well (against Real Betis) following two defeats (to Real Madrid).”[/article]

Not sure what he refers to as "long" negotiations. If we imidiately refuse their bid it is quite short and efficient and save them both time and energy.

 

[King Binny]

Despite the Neymar money (less €9 million sell on fee payable to Santos), I doubt they can go much higher

Spent (nett) €91 million last season:
Paco Alcácer (30m) André Gomes (35m), Umtiti (25m), Digne (16.5m), Cillessen (13m) and Denis Suárez (3.25m)

This season:
Gerard Deulofeu in €12m
Nelson Semedo for €30m
Paulinho for €40m

Since Dortmund said they have stated their asking price, maybe Barca should just get the Dembele deal - which seems more straightforward, done. 😀

Elsewhere, it seems like an online joke got picked up by the British press which in turn got circulated by the Spanish ones. 😗

[article]Barcelona continue in their attempts to sign Liverpool's attacking midfielder Coutinho, but the English club remain equally firm in their refusal to sell.

And more so for the sums being offered by the Catalan giants; apparently Barça upped their bid to 125 millon euros on Friday, but that's still ridiculous in the opinion of many at Anfield, who are said to rate the player at more like 150 million euros.

In fact Jürgen Klopp resorted to sarcasm when asked about the latest on the saga in his press conference. He was asked by a Brazilian journalist, "With the rumours of Barça paying £130m for Coutinho, will he leave?". The Liverpool boss gave a trademark toothy grin and replied: "They didn't offer that, we said no, yet they offered, I think tomorrow they will offer a McDonald's Happy Meal and we get the toy as well!"

Coutinho has made no secret of his desire to leave Liverpool for Barcelona, and handed in a transfer request earlier this month. Liverpool though have declared he is simply not for sale.

Barcelona, still reeling from the loss of Neymar to PSG, have money to burn from that deal, having received over 220 million euros for the striker, meaning that Liverpool are determined to push Coutinho's price as high as they possibly can if they really have to end up losing him. They definitely want a little more than a plastic toy or two.[/article]

 

[Windom Earle]

True.

But in that case, why say anything about lacking time at all?

I don't believe the club have in the context of rejecting a bid, have they? The stance has been a very firm "not for sale at any price". Still, it's accepted 'wisdom' that you limit your options the later you make your move - so time will always be a consideration in a sale regardless.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[Jerry Laser]

Maybe its just a case that Barca no longer have the money to keep up with PSG or City.... I would expect these 2 alongside maybe Real to be competing for the CL title over the next couple of years.

It was always going to come to this point one day..... replacing Iniesta and Xavi for a start was never going to be possible, they are once in a lifetime players who they were lucky just came through the system.

Now you have an ageing squad which is going to need some major work to replace and some major investment. Even then I dont think you will ever get close to that Barca team of 2 / 3 years ago ever in my lifetime.

Once Messi is gone then Barca are going to have to re invent themselves.... they have relied on him for so long I dont think they know any other way.....

 

[Woland]

Love the way Xavi has become the goeballs for the hand chopper offers. Haven't you earned enough money you fucking utter whore?

 

[Red Bird]

Klopp has said he will not sell Coutinho primarily because he does not have time to source a replacement but Barcelona’s first bid for Coutinho came in the middle of July. If a “world class” sporting director was in place and succession planning is a consideration at Liverpool – as it really should be, otherwise the club can be accused of arrogance, incompetence or both - surely six to seven weeks is long enough to do something about the problem.

I don't really get the writers point here. Is he criticising us as being incompetent for not selling? Succession planning isn't really relevant, we shouldn't have to be a selling club with a primary focus on planning to replace our best players (though I guess a contingency plan should always be there at a top club).

So what if Klopp said we don't have time to buy a replacement? He's also said he doesn't want to sell. It'll only come across as incompetent if we sell in the next 10 days. After the way Barca have carried on, we'd be dickheads for doing so, because we'll have allowed ourselves to publicly bullied into the move. That whole deadline thing was a fucking disgrace. Barca have been a disgrace and as he said, it's been a PR battle on their part, first and foremost.

It's an exceptionally poor, muddled article, seemingly laying the blame for Barcelona's failure at Liverpool's feet. Its not fair, that club doesn't want to play fair by selling one of it's better players after somebody else pinched ours, blah, blah, blah ... The Daily Mail has outdone itself this time by being Barcelona's English mouthpiece.