12/18/24
November 21, 2007
Sven gets £150 million shopping money for three stars.: Ronaldinho, Messi and Kaka are rumored to be top of Manchester City's list when the January transfer window opens. Holy moly. Anyone has corroborating reports?
posted by worldcup2002 to soccer at 11:55 AM - 4 comments
Or maybe he meant 150 million yuan (£9.8 million), for these three Chinese players who are out for a test run at Citeh.
posted by worldcup2002 at 01:02 AM on November 22, 2007
I don't really see England allowing City's owner to get extradited to Thailand, where he surely will not receive a fair trial.
posted by igottheblues at 01:25 PM on November 22, 2007
where he surely will not receive a fair trial My irony meter just exploded.
posted by owlhouse at 03:37 PM on November 22, 2007
This story seems very rumorish, poorly-sourced and, frankly, a bit implausible at first glance, until you realize that it's not really saying anything. I'm sure City will have some money to spend in January and beyond. And sure, they could make spectacular moves for a bunch of high-profile players. But I doubt the amount is going to be £150MM. If I were a City fan, I'd be a bit circumspect about big sums of money available for transfers on account of the fact that the owner could possibly be extradited at some point and put on trial for alleged human rights abuses. Messi is not and will not be for sale at any price, I suspect. I'm sure Barca would gladly get rid of Ronaldinho, and City (or any other club) would probably be stupid to pay for him as if he is the player he was when he was winning footballer of the year awards a few years back. Kaka is an interesting possibility because of the fact that Milan may not secure a Champions League place for next year. In the meantime, it does look like City will get Adriano in exchange for Bianchi in a swap with Inter over January. I think City's ability to attract high-profile transfer targets will in large part depend on whether City are able to finish in the top four this year and make the Champions League. I just find it hard to believe that world class talent will want to come to a not particularly glamorous city in the north of England to play for what is clearly the second club in that city in a second class European competition (assuming City only makes the UEFA Cup).