Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

[Brownie85]

And their next round of finance won't change this? The only way they can make signings is to sell players? Because I've read quotes from Laporte saying he's going to agree a few of these finance deals that will clear debt, part wages and free up money for transfers. The Spanish journalists have said the same, no mention of having to sell de Jong.

Again, Laporta will tell people what they want to hear. Didn't someone post before that Laporta even mentioned bringing Messi back?? Literally tell people what they want to hear to keep them on your side.

Makes no sense to negotiate a player sale then when it's pretty much all agreed turn round and say, you know what mate, I don't think we'll sell him after all

 

[WPMUFC]

Has any of the British press actually jumped on the comments, aside from those like the MEN etc? You'd think if it was a sure thing and thar Barca were adamant he was staying they'd be all over it. I'm pretty sure they won't look at the Ronaldo news and think "aaaah it's OK, we'll give United fans a night off, they've suffered enough today".

no one anywhere has said anything about the state of the deal. It's all direct quotes from Laporta and that's it. The last real update we got was the BBC report last week that said a fixed fee was agreed but add-ons and players terms would take there time.

 

[pocco]

It's still unknown when these deals will be agreed/finalized.

Short-term to sign players they need to move players on.

We shall see then. Hopefully nothing has changed, I don't know. I'm just playing devils advocate a bit.

 

[Berbaclass]

We shall see then. Hopefully nothing has changed, I don't know. I'm just playing devils advocate a bit.

I think that's fair. As far as I'm concerned his comments alone aren't really worth much.

If word starts trickling out tomorrow or Monday that there are problems then it's most likely dead. Until then for me, it's very much on.

 

[Berbaclass]

Also, for anyone wanting to actually understand Barca and how things work with their problems etc.

This article is very informative

https://barcauniversal.com/understa...play-rules-and-barcelonas-transfer-struggles/

 

[WPMUFC]

They need confirmation from somebody involved first. Simon Stone isn't the best example though because he seems in cahoots with the club and seems to tread carefully on most topics.

i'm sorry but that is just spinning a narrative that you want to hold. If the club has pulled out of negotiations. Stone/BBC are reporting it. They are close to the club because they only report on the status of deals and are quite literally the opposite to a Romano. Romano has good sources but he personally involves himself like he's in the room, BBC/Stone are just credible journalists.

 

[pocco]

Again, Laporta will tell people what they want to hear. Didn't someone post before that Laporta even mentioned bringing Messi back?? Literally tell people what they want to hear to keep them on your side.

Makes no sense to negotiate a player sale then when it's pretty much all agreed turn round and say, you know what mate, I don't think we'll sell him after all

In their case, it kind of does. Or did. Because they didn't know which players would agree salary reductions or which finance deals they would go for. But perhaps now they do. But I am just saying it would have made sense for them to get the ball rolling on sales to some extent, in the eventuality that they needed to go through with them. Like I said, just preparing early for all eventualities so that they could do business they wanted to do in enough time. They may have even told FdJ that there's a chance they may need to sell but they would let him know if it is the case and that it depends on the outcome of these other financial deals.

 

[Berbaclass]

What's not being said enough is how quickly we moved on from Timber once it was evident that he didn't want to move.

Don't see why Frenkie would be any different.

 

[pocco]

i'm sorry but that is just spinning a narrative that you want to hold. If the club has pulled out of negotiations. Stone/BBC are reporting it. They are close to the club because they only report on the status of deals and are quite literally the opposite to a Romano. Romano has good sources but he personally involves himself like he's in the room, BBC/Stone are just credible journalists.

Stone denies things literally hours before they happen. He is very much used as a mouthpiece to some extent. I even remember him changing the title of one of his articles about pressure being on Ole, because we weren't ready to give up just yet. Besides, he'd have to get the info from somewhere. And the club could ask him to hold off for now and they'll return the favour. He's never the first to any news anyway.

 

[Berbaclass]

In their case, it kind of does. Or did. Because they didn't know which players would agree salary reductions or which finance deals they would go for. But perhaps now they do. But I am just saying it would have made sense for them to get the ball rolling on sales to some extent, in the eventuality that they needed to go through with them. Like I said, just preparing early for all eventualities so that they could do business they wanted to do in enough time. They may have even told FdJ that there's a chance they may need to sell but they would let him know if it is the case and that it depends on the outcome of these other financial deals.

I understand your point but things are so bad that if they couldn't agree and finalize their first lever the other day then FDJ wouldn't really have made too much of a difference.

The ~€260 Million cash injection they received from the first deal basically made them break even on the financial year in terms of P/L.

 

[WPMUFC]

What's not being said enough is how quickly we moved on from Timber once it was evident that he didn't want to move.

Don't see why Frenkie would be any different.

at this stage, with the BBC reporting agreement on a fixed fee, we 100% get a BBC story as soon as we pull out of negotiations.

 

[hobbers]

Think it's pretty obvious what'll happen here. They're waiting for FDJ to get back from his holiday and then he'll be given a choice - take the reduced wages or go to United.

United obviously feel like he's already made that choice, but maybe he hasn't. Although clearly Laporta will present it as "we gave him the chance to stay, he left for money" angle.

 

[Berbaclass]

at this stage, with the BBC reporting agreement on a fixed fee, we 100% get a BBC story as soon as we pull out of negotiations.

I think we would have surely got something from any half-decent source. I'll be quite surprised if it comes out tomorrow/later today.

Spanish sources not reporting the deal is off is more telling IMO

 

[yumtum]

Interesting that some can detect the bullshit of other clubs hierarchy but not our own.

Anyway I actually agree this is just Laporte talking crap to keep the fans onside, it's what people at these clubs do, especially the ones that are elected into power.

 

[Berbaclass]

Think it's pretty obvious what'll happen here. They're waiting for FDJ to get back from his holiday and then he'll be given a choice - take the reduced wages or go to United.

United obviously feel like he's already made that choice, but maybe he hasn't.

I don't even think they will because they don't really have the power in the situation. What are they going to do if he says I'm not leaving or reducing my wage?

Dembele has agreed to a 40% cut today but the scenario is different entirely as he's out of contract so it's take it or leave it.

 

[Berbaclass]

Interesting that some can detect the bullshit of other clubs hierarchy but not our own.

Anyway I actually agree this is just Laporte talking crap to keep the fans onside, it's what people at these clubs do, especially the ones that are elected into power.

It's a poker game and they want United to blink first (pay up)

 

[Berbaclass]

It's a poker game and they want United to blink first (pay up)

 

[Berbaclass]

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[WPMUFC]

i can't be bothered arguing in circles. Until we get a report from BBC saying we've walked, nothing has changed. There is a fee agreed and negotiations are ongoing until they aren't. If folks want to twist themselves into pretzels, have at it. I can't convince you otherwise.

 

[Dannn411]

Given De Jong's strong desire to stay at Barcelona, I doubt it will be such a problem taking a paycut or deferring a portion of his salary when asked and if that is all that is needed to put Barca in position to comply with La Liga's rules, this deal is as good as dead.

But then there's the other side of the argument. You'd have to think our bosses knew very clearly the state of Barcelona's finances and exactly what they had to do to get out of the bind they are in and felt that there was no chance of getting out of that bind without selling at least one big name, which is why negotiations have continued for so long.

Anyway, we will know soon enough whether our club brass are actually brilliant or whether they are even more incompetent than first feared because if this deals falls through, then it means the club has wasted almost the whole summer chasing a deal that had a decent possibility of being a dead end and that is basically unforgivable.

 

[Hal9000]

I feel like we're going to miss out on this one after pissing around for a week. I understand Barca is in trouble, an we shouldn't be held to random, but as the same time he's our number 1 target and who ETH wants our squad built around. Just sign him..

 

[sglowrider]

I feel like we're going to miss out on this one after pissing around for a week. I understand Barca is in trouble, an we shouldn't be held to random, but as the same time he's our number 1 target and who ETH wants our squad built around. Just sign him..

We will need as much financial flexibility now that Ronnies' leaving -- to save up for a replacement striker.

 

[Swedish_Plumber]

I feel like we're going to miss out on this one after pissing around for a week. I understand Barca is in trouble, an we shouldn't be held to random, but as the same time he's our number 1 target and who ETH wants our squad built around. Just sign him..

Pissing about for a week?!

If we don’t get him it’s because we’ve been pissing about a lot longer than that!!

 

[croadyman]

We will need as much financial flexibility now that Ronnies' leaving -- to save up for a replacement striker.

Just no one available who can give us that 20-25 goals next season is the problem

 

[sglowrider]

Just no one available who can give us that 20-25 goals next season is the problem

We will just need to find a way to spread the scoring responsibilities across the attackers. United was always best when we had 4-5 decent scorers. I always felt the Ruud days made us so predictable even though he scored tonnes.

 

[sglowrider]

Ronnie leaving really isnt a footballing issue -- we all know that Ronnie would struggle to play an ETH approach.
Its more of a financial problem. We had not expected to have to budget a main striker into this summer's equation. A cheaper up & coming punt maybe. But not our main striker replacement.

 

[Nicoseth]

I am not sure how you can blame the Club here. Like any business you enter negotiations in good faith. There were ongoing negotiations and dealings around the transfer. At no stage did it appear it was some duplicitous ploy by Barcelona. If anything, if the reports are true then it is Barcelona who will come out of this with their reputation sullied.

I agree that Barca come out of this looking like charlatans, but we allowed ourselves to be lulled into a drawn-out negotiation that was clearly paced by Barca and their financial challenges. All the while, our rivals are strengthening and our own players (Ronaldo) are also becoming disillusioned with the lack of ambition being shown by the club.

 

[croadyman]

We will just need to find a way to spread the scoring responsibilities across the attackers. United was always best when we had 4-5 decent scorers. I always felt the Ruud days made us so predictable even though he scored tonnes.

Wish we could get someone cheap who could at least be able to play that number 9 like a Schick/Isak/David then contributions from the likes of Rashford/Sancho and maybe Martial too.

 

[tenpoless]

If he doesnt come, feck it, lets steal Lewandowski from Barca.

 

[sglowrider]

Wish we could get someone cheap who could at least be able to play that number 9 like a Schick/Isak/David then contributions from the likes of Rashford/Sancho and maybe Martial too.

I expect those to take it up a few notches now that not everything has to be Ronnie-centric. Hopefully, they work for the team.

We will be in a very poor negotiation position when we look for a striker now. Narrow window and we need the striker to be in ASAP to learn the system..... unless we are back to an Ajax product or a Dutch league player who will be cheaper -- by the majority of dutch (league) strikers have flopped with a few exceptions.

 

[Nicoseth]

Yes we do. They currently can't register new players as they are spending too much on salary.

Laporta literally just said that they will confirm Kessie and Christensen this week.

 

[sglowrider]

If he doesnt come, feck it, lets steal Lewandowski from Barca.

Can he press?

 

[sglowrider]

Laporta literally just said that they will confirm Kessie and Christensen this week.

He is starting to sound like some used car salesman. If we feel United is in a pickle, we just have to look at Barca and feel better about ourselves.

 

[elmo]

This is getting tedious, just move on and let Barce get fecked financially. It'll show that we're not going to allow clubs to use us for their own agenda and do us more good than supposedly getting a good deal for FDJ.

 

[Sid234]

If Barca is posturing for more money again- I say we walk away and move on to other options. Don't allow Barca to push into making a bad move and this CR7 stuff is annoying AF cause it's only impacting our leverage with Barca negatively.

I am pretty sure i remember reading that they were already trying to use fan unhappiness with our transfer dealings to get us to pay more

 

[reelworld]

Can't believe the meltdown on this

It's pretty obvious that Laporte just want to shift the blame to Frenkie as when he do leaves, it's because he doesn't want to take a paycut.

 

[DevilRed]

Relax. This is done.

Just politicking by their president.

They need teams to not fleece them in the transfer market too.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

All we need is a "You love to see it" tweet from Barca twitter account.

 

[jem]

It will be absolutely pathetic if this deal falls through at this point. Like people-should-lose-their-jobs level of pathetic.

 

[Nicoseth]

He is starting to sound like some used car salesman. If we feel United is in a pickle, we just have to look at Barca and feel better about ourselves.

You reckon? We're a proper shitshow at the minute. I wouldn't be throwing stones as a United supporter.