I've heard that this has stalled because of the heatwave. Both sides waiting for more moderate weather before making any commitments.
Very clearly trying to drum up interest and create an auction. This will rumble on until deadline day.
Again, how do you create an auction when there only appears to be one buyer? And deadline day may be a small factor, but it won’t really be a telling one IMO. If more clubs become interested and an auction ensues, deadline day becomes a bit of a moot factor - as European windows stay open longer.
By saying "Going, going, very nearly gone, nearly gone, very very nearly gone, we are giving him away, nearly gone, crazy low price, great player, nearly gone, any other bids, really great price, almost gone, I have a reserve price from an AFC Bournemouth ....."
To me, I think by continual mentioning ‘there’s only one club in for him’, ‘it’s only Watford we’re in talks with’ is dropping hints for other clubs who may be keeping their powder dry to come in and bid - other clubs may have been waiting for AFCON to finish up, like ourselves.
Had there been continual mentioning of that? We have ‘heard’ from Rennes once and that is what they said - every other media report more or less has linked Everton, West Ham and even Arsenal at times. When ‘hearing’ from the Rennes owner, he said they had a bid a while ago which was rejected and we haven’t returned since - suggests to me that we didn’t wait for the end of the AFCON to make that bid. You might be right with the broad outline of what you’re saying - but the pieces don’t fit with what we’ve been hearing and reading. I don’t think Rennes are trying to start an auction. I think they have a price and Gino being Gino is trying to whittle it down and being stubborn to meet it.
Or we're unsettling said player. Pereya deal took ages to get sealed. So we're fully aware that we play the waiting game, hoping the selling club drop towards our valuation of the players wanted.
Yep, definitely could be a factor. Depend how much Rennes need the money. The owner said they’d be very happy if he stayed and that’s what will happen if nothing changes. Could be a bluff, who knows! But as I said above, according to SSN, Rennes have agreed terms with Koscielny but don’t want to pay a fee or can’t afford one - could be a factor in a softening of attitude towards a deal for Sarr. Only caveat to that last point is Arsenal really want a winger, have already been linked with Sarr and are struggling with other names - you’d think there’s a deal to be done there between those clubs.
Today is the day. If the deal is gonna happen, I would expect to hear something today, unless something changes in the background.
If we sign this player it will only be on Watford's terms (as always). Rennes, just as every non-English club, can take it to the wire. The transfer window closes in England on 8th August, and this plays into European club's hands. They can leave it until the last minute, in the hope that the buying club will panic. Rennes can still do business after 8th August, so the pressure is all on the English club. Watford are a little different, in terms that they WILL walk away from a deal that is not right for them. A lot of other Premier League clubs are happy to pay over the odds just to get the deal done. Watford cannot afford to do this. If we do end up signing him, I suspect it will only happen in the last couple of days of the transfer window, once Rennes realise no one else is coming in for him.
Yep. This ties in with what I've been hearing. Things were delayed by his involvement in the Copa Del Rey, but now should be resolved, one way or the other. Watch this space.
I didn't take that into account. Had no idea about Koscielny going there. Could definitely throw a spanner in the works if they're really after him. Anyways I thought the gooners were short of funds for signings!
I agree with most of that or at least I’m in a agreement that it could happen. What I’m not in complete agreement about is that Watford are any different from a lot of clubs. I’m sure every club thinks every deal made is the right deal for them. Otherwise, why make them? Every club makes deals they believe are on their terms. We’ve spent a lot of money (affordable though I agree) on some dross over the last few years - I’m sure the selling clubs were more than happy with what we paid for Oulare, Kums, Zeegelaar etc.... Look at what we paid Burnley for Gray - from the outside looking in, that deal was done on Burnley’s terms, not ours. Burnley ‘disappointed to lose him’ and Watford ‘delighted to get him’ - I wonder if the Amex was being said behind closed doors at Turf Moor. I doubt it. eg. Rennes want £20m. We offer £18m. A deal is done at £20m. But all the media stories have said Rennes wanted closer to £30m. Cue ‘Ginos done it again! He’s a mastermind!’ The truth is we don’t know the inner workings of deals and clubs always say ‘undisclosed’ on 99% of deals these days because they don’t want people to know.
If we do sign him, I suspect we'll do it at some point between now and the end of the transfer window and we will likely pay money for him.
I’m hearing from my people that this may not be happening due to technical issues and because the bloke is a lazy **** and is complete dog ****.
Yes I've heard the same thing. If happens it will be nearer the end of the window than the start of the window. Or in this or another window to another team.
Does the loan window shut the same day? i.e. 8th August or does that remain open at all? Just wondering whether there is a loophole there on deals or not.
My people are hearing that things should accelerate once the Iran oil tanker crisis finds some resolution.
I'd been positive that there was going to be an announcement today, but possible they are holding back because of the Dele-Alli-AddisAbaba signing. Looks like a PR job. Expect news on Sarr over the coming days.