01 Feb 2016 13:57:05
Now we know why this page has been so quiet. Seems more than likely that with Pep going to the noisy neighbours our transfer budget will be kept until summer when there are more top players available and the distinct possibility of a new manager. I wonder too if Messi joining Pep is a real possibility in which case I think the Utd board would be under huge pressure to support whichever manager is in charge of us and make a similarly huge signing. On a positive note having Pep in our league should mean better players will want to play in England and City cannot sign them all.
01 Feb 2016 14:23:03
Pep and Messi don't get on, so I doubt that will happen. Neymar on the other hand only came out the other day and said he'd like to work with Pep at some point.
He is also in and out of court with his financial issues and seems completely open to the idea of leaving Barcelona. Add to that the issue Barcelona are apparently going to have if they stick to the wages agreements they have made both Messi and Neymar then I certainly wouldn't be shocked to see Neymar leave Barcelona this summer.
With Pep now at City, and them looking a top world star away from being a real force I can see them pushing for Neymar in the summer.
01 Feb 2016 14:31:38
shaps
i would agree with that .
pep seems like a long term plan for city, looks like it was agreed since 2012 so i would expect a big push in the transfer market.
rate pep or not he has the profile to get the very best in the world.
01 Feb 2016 14:34:33
Decent arguments, Shappy, but why would Barcelona want to get rid of Neymar? And the player may not really be in a hurry to walk away from that attacking trio and the club that play a style suited to him very well. But I am sure the rumours will keep going.
01 Feb 2016 14:47:30
zid
because 70% of there income goes on wages.
01 Feb 2016 14:51:52
Obviously from a playing point of view they wouldn't want to let any of the holy trinity leave. But from a financial point of view keeping all three happy will limit what they can spend on the rest of the squad quite a lot.
From what Ed002 said Barcelona's original plan was to have Neymar become Messi's heir, and move Messi on. They would recieve a massive amount of money for Messi allowing them to rebuild the squad, having already probably having the had the best of him and while keeping a player like Neymar to build around.
Neymar on the other hand is being pursued by spanish autorities over tax issues along with brazilian autorities. He stands to lose a lot of money and hopefully dodge a custodial sentence. A move would be a clean break while also giving him the chance to boost his finances again with a nice big signing bonus, plus his dad is his agent so he will get a pretty penny too. He is also concerned that he has to step out of Messi's shadow if he is to get his full recognision.
So with Barcelona looking to try and of load one of them in the near future, along with Neymars court issues and his ambition to make a name for himself in his own right then there is a very real chance he could move this summer. City would probably be front of the que now.
{Ed001's Note - Messi and Neymar are due big payrises this summer, that will take them significantly over the salary cap in La Liga plus they are outwith the percentage allowed in their constitution. If they do not reduce wages Barca are in serious danger of being banned from playing plus the president will have to quit.}
01 Feb 2016 15:11:46
Ed what do you mean Barcelona are in serious danger of being banned from playing?
{Ed001's Note - the Spanish Primera Liga has a wage cap now, Barcelona will be over it by a significant amount next season, meaning they have to offload a number of players or be banned. I expect a few outs.}