Don’t disagree. Unless of course he kicks up a stink to force a move at which point it becomes a discussion to be had. I get the feeling we might be heading in that kind of direction sadly.
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He can kick up what stink he likes if we don’t want to sell him we don’t. We set precedent with old Bad back kept another 6 months. Also i don’t think hes that stupid with it down now to only 1 suitor for his services.
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Did it with Suarez as well.
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I largely agree with the above, but would say it a bit stronger for Elliott: probable exit.
As for Diaz, I’d be happy if we keep him as he is a good player. I think a bit of man management is needed there, and Slot will probably sit down with him to gauge the strength of feeling.
If he is disgruntled I could easily see a parting of the ways, as a new and refreshed Slot team/squad takes shape. If he is happy to stay, even without a new deal, fine. I know that is what he said at the start of the window, but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, with more noise from his camp, and more encouragement for other clubs to bid.
Maybe FSG have surveyed the competition in the global footballing world at this exact moment in time… and come to the conclusion that now is the time to strike, with assembling a world beating squad to rule for the next 5/6years… the business we do this summer, may be taking into account our needs for next summer also… A ‘bird-in-the-hand’ and all that…
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If we sold Diaz for £70-80M, and brought in Rodrygo, I’d be pleased, myself. The thought of two magicians with the ball, such as Rodrygo and Wirtz breaking down the inevitable low blocks is giving me a semi right now.
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I would keep Diaz over Rodrygo.
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That’s fine, your choice. I love Luis! Have a shirt with his name on the back. I also think that Rodrygo is a crazy talent, and is four years younger than Diaz. Rodrygo also has shown that he can play anywhere across the front line.
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So would I, but with Diaz trying to force the issue if we get a bid in the 70-80m range I think we’ll let him go.
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Rodrygo has the advantage because he won’t agitate for a move to Madrid or Barcelona.
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I don’t think they will you would have done it 2 weeks ago if you were selling him.
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Did we have a suitable bid for him two weeks ago?
I reckon we’ll do all we can to keep him this window now except giving him a new contract. Even if that includes a gentleman’s agreement to let him go next summer for a reasonable fee.
But if he downed tools or Bayern/Saudi offered us £80m+ for him next week and he pushed for us to accept then I reckon it changes the conversation from an outright “no, not for sale” to one of “do we think we can confidently replace what he offers with someone who’d cost us less than this?”.
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Next Guehi then Rodrigo maybe even Mateta? Hughes then can go on holiday unless he wants to do overtime by helping the LFC women’s technical director find some decent players .
Next we need to move some players on, to free up some spots in the squad. Assuming Darwin and Kostas go, I think we will have one more non-homegrown spot in the squad. We might end up needing that spot for a center back if we can’t agree a deal with Palace for Guehi this summer.
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If you go from not for sale at all to at the right price it becomes open on everyone. The club has said not for sale and i fully expect that.
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Our next target (Guehi) seems to be fitting a specific profile and role within the squad. CB + home grown. If Palace refuse to budge on their asking price and we walk away, do we go for another player with that exact profile and role? And if so, who?
Or do we split the 2 needs and look at the best CB we can get, then find some other area of the squad needing work to bring in someone home grown? And if so, what position would that be and who would be the player leaving?
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It seems to have gone very quiet on Guehi. I’d assumed that we had a news blackout on transfers after Jota’s death, but this seems to have slipped off the radar altogether.
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I agree about the news blackout regardig transfers after Jotas’ passing, but I wonder if it also has brought a slight change in our focus regarding what deals get done and in what order. Going for a forward at this point will probably bring the most even and respectful negotiations as I think no club would want to appear as if trying to make too big a financial profit off a deal to replace a player who has just passed away.
But if we were to push for a deal to get Guehi and then sell some players before going back to a deal to bring in a forward, clubs might not be as willing to negotiate on fair terms and with good faith?
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Assuming the Ekitike deal gets done, I’d be happy if the last bit of business this summer is a center back. Guehi or another. We should be able to fit a non homegrown player into the squad if Kostas and Darwin go.
I don’t think we need anyone else after that unless Diaz forces our hand or we are selling someone else like Chiesa but in both cases, we’d free up a spot for a non homegrown player.
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I’m actually taking it as encouraging. It’s not only his links to us that have gone completely silent, it’s his links to anyone else either - and this is a defender who is in demand.
I think the deal is done or largely done and will be announced in due course.
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