On one of the most exciting conclusions to the transfer window that I can ever remember, Man Utd ended up with no extra players, whilst West Ham ended up with the coup of the century in signing Tevez and Mascherano. The deal is a cornerstone in West Ham’s history, but does the deal ask more questions than it answers?
Although it’s not strictly Man Utd related, I think I will dedicate most of today’s post to this double signing. As you are all aware I am a massive fan of the 2 Argentinean wonderkids, Mascherano especially. MSI and Iranian fronted consortium last night sold both players to West Ham on a permanent basis for £1 million each. On the face of it this seems like a massive acquisition for the club and indeed it could be, however it depends which theory you think rings true as to whether the deal really is as good as it seems. Both players have massive sell on clauses, in the hope that they will net MSI a huge cash reward.
The first theory is that both players will be at West Ham for just one season. At the end of the season, West Ham will sell both players to the larger clubs giving the proceeds to MSI. West Ham are therefore merely a feeder club for MSI, helping South American players settle in the premiership before making their big money moves. At £30 million each there are not many clubs that could afford them.
The second theory is that MSI are looking to buy West Ham. As part of the sweetener MSI offered both Mascherano and Tevez as part of the deal. The two players alone are worth at least £40 million and will improve the squad. This would be a very difficult deal to turn down.
Whichever is true, the deal is shrouded in mystery. It certainly isn’t a straightforward transfer, but then again, when are transfers ever straightforward? The big question on everyone’s mind is why on earth would they move to West Ham? Apparently no other clubs tabled significant offers for either player, although what is deemed to be significant is open to interpretation. You can be sure we were ready to offer £17 million at the very least for Mascherano, but obviously that wasn’t enough. According to the Mirror we have first option on Mascherano next summer, but at what price? That’s the big question.
Anyhow what’s done is done and I for one would like to take the opportunity to congratulate West Ham on their two amazing signings. It’s quite refreshing to see players of that quality move to a club outside the top four even if it is only for a season. They will be a joy to watch and I am looking forward to match of the day even more now.
Going forward it’s important that we focus on our own game. We must do the best that we can with the squad we have. We have a weakness in midfield but I am sure we can cope with that until Christmas at least. Rooney and Scholes will be back soon and I for one look forward to watching some more free flowing samba style football.
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7 comments:
Morning to ya Agent.
Right, we haven't got either of the two players so lets get on with what we have got, fuck Chelsea, fuck West Ham fuck Arsenal and especially fuck Liverpool. Afterall we are Man Utd aren't we?
Actually I'm not sure Fergie would have gone for both players anyway, aren't UEFA about to bring in some new rules in the next year or two about limiting the number of foreign players again in order to promote/encourage more home grown product coming through the ranks? maybe we need to be looking at this issue at some point because if it comes into place we will be relatively well placed unlike Chelsea,Liverpool,Arsenal who just buy from abroad most of the time. At least we still have a decent youth system.
Hopefully we can maintain our momentum once players return from the internationals and as you say we have Rooney and Scholes back in action. Alan Smith must be close to full fitness as Fergie has let Rossi go to Newcastle and I think he will certainly show some bit once he returns.
I thought we played well in the second half of last season (when RVN wasn't playing) and this has continued this season. I really think the team is settling in well to a more fluent and attacking style of play.
Yes it would have been nice to get Hargreaves or Mascherano but we've got to move on and I think we still have a great chance of winning the league this year with the aquad we have. Anyway it's only 4 months to the January sales!
I can't see both of them being at West Ham for more than a couple of seasons, so although it's good for them in the short-term I'm not sure how great it'll be beyond that. It's not as if they're going to replace like for like once the pair decide they quite feel like playing in the Champions' League.
It'll be interesting to see how Rossi does at Newcastle and maybe he'll do a bit of damage that'll benefit us between now and January.
And how much longer will Hargreaves be at Bayern for? Maybe when they've had longer to identify a replacement and for van Bommel to bed in they'll be more open to his transfer request.
Another thing that might of happened is that we were close to signing Reo Coker but he had a change of heart when he heard the 2 aAgentines were heading for Upton Park and Fergie only less than a day to find and sign a world class alternative or re start negotiations with Senna and Villarel which ultimatly proved impossibe.
If we assume that both players settle in at Upton Park this year then my money is on Tevez moving across London to the Kings Road and a bidding war taking place for Mascherano (unless Chelsea decide they want Essien and Mascherano once Makelele retires/moves on next year)
One of the reports I've read stated that we have first option on Mascherano but at what price?
Hopefully Hargreaves may become available next summer but what we don't want is a repeat of this summer when Fergie has been caught between Hargreaves and Senna (for whatever reason). He needs to go for one player either Hargreaves or Mascherano (if he is available) and get it sorted very quickly, any sign of it being a long transfer process then drop it and move on.
Having returned from the sticks of country new south wales, checking the net i see Tevez and Mascherano have signed for West Ham...i shat a brick to say the least....WTF.....having read pretty much all the various takes on the deal, it seems appropriate that players owned by investment consortiums carry a great deal of excess baggage. I'm pretty sure Fergie wasn't too keen to go into business with MSI.
Anyhow, with Villa and West Ham being strenghened by management and new players, two more teams potentially capable of taking points of the traditional (past few seasons) top four.
I'm pretty confident we can compete up until the next transfer window, and if we pick up an injury or two, which im sure we will, we'll have atleast some cash to spend.
And lets face it, do we really need that many additions, especially not in haste... we have 4 international class strikers with the potential acquistion of Torres (who is currently negogiating with Ath Madrid to lower his release clause) next summer. The holding role is clearly our achilles heel, however its all relative, just because we don't have as much class in that position as we do elsewhere, we are overeacting and shitting our pants about the lack of Mascherano, Hargreaves or Diarra...For the time being Carrick can Hold, and Scholes can penetrate.
....lets not forget our recent success has been based on top class youth and a few high profiles signings....
Even though our financial position is often ridiculed, with excessive debt restructuring. Lets not forget, the hike in prices for tickets, new deals with AIG and Nike, Increased Stadium Capacity....debt will be lowered....the Glazers make money....they might look like muppets, but Utd will be in the black sooner rather than later.
Don't worry boys and girls (?), we'll be allright.
What the Hell is Fergie doing?
How can we lose out to West Ham.
We let Ruud go, now Rossi! Where's the replacements!
We buy Carrick (Scholes replacement!) still no Keane replacement!
We buy a 2nd rate Goalie and let Howard and Foster bother better, go out on loan.
Any of our youngsters with potential, Pique, Eagles are all being sent out on loan also.
I just wonder is this Glazers policy?
Where is the £50 million we were promised? £10 million for Ruud, £12m for Mikel Obi.
Minus £18 on Carrick?
No big buys!
What is going on? Where is the ambition? At least Arsenal got the excuse of new stadium! Whats ours?
I wonder if Fergie has lost it, but suspect he now has no role in negotiations, and this Gill sucks big time. Though I hat Kenyon, I think he used to always get his man!
PS. Figures may be wrong but was so annoyed I couldnt be bothered to look this up.
Here's another really interesting article that shows how the beauty just might be going out of this game
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2338025,00.html
I still think we're the team to beat for the title...
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