Dušan Vlahović

[bbunc]

Probably because we have a budget that has a limit and we're also dependent on getting players out. It could be an option of Vlahovic now but nobody else, or three players in now and Vlahovic for a lower fee in the summer, which in the long-run makes more sense.

Yes, but I think this idea that he’ll be materially cheaper in the summer is fantasy land. He’s going to cost 60-70M plus a huge salary, whether now or in the summer.

 

[Darth Vega]

Yes, but I think this idea that he’ll be materially cheaper in the summer is fantasy land. He’s going to cost 60-70M plus a huge salary, whether now or in the summer.

Why? He'll be on a 12 month contract with the ability to talk to foreign clubs just 6 months after that with a view to leaving on a free. The salary will be whatever it is regardless but he'll definitely cost less unless Fiorentina - who aren't exactly filthy rich or in a position to negotiate - want to keep an unhappy asset and then let him go for peanuts.

 

[bbunc]

Why? He'll be on a 12 month contract with the ability to talk to foreign clubs just 6 months after that with a view to leaving on a free. The salary will be whatever it is regardless but he'll definitely cost less unless Fiorentina - who aren't exactly filthy rich or in a position to negotiate - want to keep an unhappy asset and then let him go for peanuts.

Just don’t think with 4-5 big teams likely after him that the contract situation is going to going to create a super cheap deal. It’s not like he’s going to be so enamored with our project to eschew all other opptys and hold Fiorentina hostage over us.

 

[yankspurs]

Personal opinion time - I think it’s going to come down to ‘packages’ a. In football terms what can be gained, ie exciting city, world stage viability, etc. b. Footballing terms x2, the practicals of who you are working with and developing from. C. Footballing terms x3 the ambition package, the clubs ambitions for the coming few years, the foundation of those ambitions, bonuses linked to those ambitions. Which leads to d. The financial package - what you are getting offered from the clubs involved, how it relates to things like profile enhancements for things like image rights and off field income, and all those lucrative aspects beyond the weekly pay packet. And e. The last piece of the puzzle, the support network at any given club. In the past things like buying houses for parents, has been done, and other things to make someone feel at home. Here, it could be as communications, how many at the club can share a similar language, to help settle, etc.

Personally I think we often under value ourselves, CL final a couple of years ago, World Cup winning captain, World Cup golden boot, etc.

I don’t think it’s ever a simple yeah like them don’t like those, but for instance Juve make a huge amount of sense as it’s the smallest lifestyle switch and offers lots of profile enhancement stuff, but then both us and Arsenal can make a lot of sense - most exciting city in the world, massively raised profile - World Cup winning captain, World Cup golden boot, captain of France and England, etc lining up with you, whereas down the road it’s replacement for a talisman, a team on the rise performing well finally, in need of a statement, etc. there are swings and roundabouts, the appeal of Conte against the peal of walking in as the main man, Italian speaking teammates (we have three I think, plus 9 support staff and management team):, down the road there is Kolasinic who is Bosnian and therefore speaks the same mother tongue even if with a different dialect. I think a lot falls on how FP sells the future to DV and the family, and how he sees the future. Financially, I reckon most clubs will offer a very similar package.

I saw again yesterday the owners of Fiorentina having another go in the press, calling him disloyal etc, so as much as he might want to see out the season it feels more and more like he’s being forced out, and who knows how it goes from there. Think about the sliding doors moment with Eden Hazard where it seemed he’d agreed with Harry to come to us, then Chelsea won the CL, knocking us out of it, and swooped for Hazard pretty much the next day. We’ve got big games this month in the chase for CL as have Arsenal… do they impact choices if we overtake them? Dunno. I do think it’ll be interesting how it plays out, and wherever he goes his future is going to be exciting. I hope it’s a journey we go on together.

To me, all the noises is that this would be in the summer. But my feeling is if we wait until then, Juve will be well positioned to sign him(barring an embargo, of course) & failing that, #2 would be the loser of the Haaland sweeptstakes. Our best chance is now. But it doesnt seem like we can actually sign him this window while Arsenal seemingly can & Fiorentina seem to be doing all they can to force a sale this month in order to maximize profit. I wonder if we know this & that is partly why Levy is currently in the Bahamas with Joe Lewis to discuss the budget & potential investment vehicles.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Van Persie? I can't see that. Van Persie was technically class, and played with that air. This lad seems more of a battering ram type. An honest, hard-working, bumbler (gets results, but not in the most aesthetic way) like Van Nilstelroy.
As a caveat my opinion is based on very limited viewing.

It's the way he (intelligently) uses his body/strength, though.

He's more than just a battering ram & a bully. And his technique is, from what little I've seen, extremely good.

 

[lincspurs]

To me, all the noises is that this would be in the summer. But my feeling is if we wait until then, Juve will be well positioned to sign him(barring an embargo, of course) & failing that, #2 would be the loser of the Haaland sweeptstakes. Our best chance is now. But it doesnt seem like we can actually sign him this window while Arsenal seemingly can & Fiorentina seem to be doing all they can to force a sale this month in order to maximize profit. I wonder if we know this & that is partly why Levy is currently in the Bahamas with Joe Lewis to discuss the budget & potential investment vehicles.

If so, I hope they come up with a positive solution, & quickly.

 

[barry]

It's the way he (intelligently) uses his body/strength, though.

He's more than just a battering ram & a bully. And his technique is, from what little I've seen, extremely good.

You could be right, I haven't seen a lot of the lad, but to me he looks a wee bit clumsy in the way he moves.
I don't mean that in a detrimental way and I'm sure his technique is fine, he's just not exactly aesthetically pleasing, in much the same way kane isn't exactly poetry.

 

[srups34]

I hope this becomes our Arshavin moment.

 

[talbot64]

I’ve finally watched a few YouTube clips and was always sceptical as couldn’t see him playing with Kane as feel Kane reacts better to pace either side of him.

Vlahovic is much more of a focal point but also very mobile. Kane is Kane with so much ability and I believe they could be really effective together as a strike partnership so I hope this now happens

 

[barry]

I hope this becomes our Arshavin moment.

That would be brilliant.
As an aside some Juve contributor on Twitter have said they've offered him 200k per week.
If that's true maybe we shouldn't compete. It looks like he'll be decent but it's still a fair sized risk.

 

[Ruffinthepuffin]

That would be brilliant.
As an aside some Juve contributor on Twitter have said they've offered him 200k per week.
If that's true maybe we shouldn't compete. It looks like he'll be decent but it's still a fair sized risk.

Looks more than reasonable when the likes of Mbappe and Haaland are apparently looking for three or four times that.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Looks more than reasonable when the likes of Mbappe and Haaland are apparently looking for three or four times that.

Looks even more reasonable when you consider we've spent over 2 years paying that much each week for Ndombele to provide almost the square route of fuck all.

 

[Wig]

That would be brilliant.
As an aside some Juve contributor on Twitter have said they've offered him 200k per week.
If that's true maybe we shouldn't compete. It looks like he'll be decent but it's still a fair sized risk.

For starters we can't trust everything we read on twitter, and then even if Juve had offered 200k per week it doesn't really matter if he has his heart set on joining one club - us. If he only wants to come to us then surely it won't be too difficult to agree personal terms.

 

[Ruffinthepuffin]

Looks even more reasonable when you consider we've spent over 2 years paying that much each week for Ndombele to provide almost the square route of fuck all.

Hadn’t thought of that mate, absolutely spot on. ??

 

[Johno1470]

Yep, that’s all I’ve ever heard from my mate and his dad is very Conte/Spurs centric. As I said, I think we devalue ourselves sometimes, we are a big club and a strong draw. But I hear you completely about hope vs belief. Thing is, me, I am firmly on the belief train. I think we’ve offered a convincing support network, vision, the whole package, and he wants in.

I don’t think we ever have any issues in attracting players and buying them into the project. It’s when we get to the negotiating stage, where we dither and try play a game of chess, ultimately missing out on the signing.

Also - aside from any ITK, has there even been any credible links to him this window? Seems like most of the rumours are coming from the other lot down the road.

 

[Cochise]

This is why I absolutely hope everyone who can batter Newcastle does. Even if it just knocks them back a year, it's a year longer where football isn't completely fucked by three lottery winning clubs owning the top three spots in the league.

 

[barry]

For starters we can't trust everything we read on twitter, and then even if Juve had offered 200k per week it doesn't really matter if he has his heart set on joining one club - us. If he only wants to come to us then surely it won't be too difficult to agree personal terms.

The Juve contributor said Arsenal had offered 200k, but like you said pinch of salt

 

[Meercat]

I don’t think we ever have any issues in attracting players and buying them into the project. It’s when we get to the “negotiating”‘stage’, where we dither and try play a game of chess, ultimately missing out on the signing.

Also - aside from any ITK, has there even been any credible links to him this window? Seems like most of the rumours are coming from the other lot down the road.

Yeah we’ve had stuff from the Italian journos - only a few times, so not as loudly as the other mob, but there have been credible journalists like DiMazio and Romano, etc.

 

[Crow]

I mean, if we really want him, and Fiorentina are really willing to sell him now for 70M, it’s hard to fathom why we haven’t just put in the bid

I mean, it's not THAT hard to fathom

 

[DJS]

If they get him, he will probably turn out like Sanchez, lacazette and pepe and have his career ruined. Whereas he knows Conte will take him up a level and Spurs will have the best strike force in Europe ??

Wasnt Sanchez excellent for them?? ?‍

Player his best footie for the gooner boys.