Why would anyone have a clue? Turns out they had some studios worth €400M just sitting around.
I called this on Day 1, it was all reminiscent of Inter absolutely having to sell Perisic by June 30... then selling a couple of other players.
We keep getting ourselves in terrible bargaining positions and lowballing people based on mythical deadlines when the only deadline for all involved is ours for getting the player in.
I think this is a completely difference scenario is it not?
de Jong absolutely destroys their new wage structure, he's on A LOT more than Lewa, who i imagine they want to be their top earner. Hence why de Jong needs to fall in line with a pay cut, or leave.
Of course he doesn't have to do either, but i think the reality is that if he doesn't go, then it's not going to end up good for him. I don't see him taking that pay cut though, and i don't see him staying around when it's clear that he's not wanted or needed there