Strange question, but does it sometimes baffle?
I think Kane is City bound. But I accept that even if we outbid City, Spurs would never sell him to Chelsea.
Even though selling him to City, pretty much guarantees they're going to dominate and not just domestically.
Even if we win on Saturday, we're only delaying the inevitable.
Selling him to Chelsea, although a hated localish rival, only potentially gives us a missing part of the jigsaw.
I remember fans on here saying they'd not forgive Joe Cole who was unemployed, if he went to North London. My attitude was Chelsea didn't want to keep him. He was unemployed therefore the only people Joe Cole owed was himself and his family.
I've never bought into that "should never sell to specific clubs". FFS Barcelona sold Figo directly to Madrid. I'm sure Michael Laudrup may have been a direct purchase as well. It's business and I don't think the tribal side of it should come in to it.
Tribalism in Football
posted on 25/5/21
I would feel differently if a player we released or chose not to give a new deal, looked for a new club and was offered a chance by a rival and took it.
That's not the same as a player at the top of their game with a whole host of clubs that would be interested in taking them, choosing to go to their current clubs biggest/oldest rival.
posted on 25/5/21
The Figo one was a strange story. Perez was running for Real president and no one gave him a chance, so he campaigned on getting Figo. He then made a deal with Figo and his agent that if he won, Figo would have to join Real and if he lost, Figo and his agent would get 1 million euros. They thought it was easy money
posted on 25/5/21
The last direct transfer between United and Liverpool was in 1964... fair to say there's a bit of tribalism there
posted on 25/5/21
The early negotiations are conducted by men in suits who put business as their first and second priority.
Much depends on the relationships that exist between the agents, and the buying clubs. Inter club rivalry is a factor no doubt, but in the end the sweetest deal will have the best chance.
Kane's own preferences will be another factor and may likely encourage the preferred club to go the extra mile to make it work.
It seems Kane is keeping mum about his own wishes in that regard.
In Levy's shoes, I'd want to keep any promise I made last season to the player, but I would make my demands so difficult, nigh impossible, I could turn to Kane and say." look lad I really tried to make it work, but no one's come near to my expectations yet".
posted on 25/5/21
Barcelona sold Figo directly to Madrid. I'm sure Michael Laudrup may have been a direct purchase as well.
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Figo had a legally-binding release clause that Madrid tabled. Barcelona couldn't do anything to prevent him leaving.
Laudrup was out of contract and had been shunned by Cruyff.
posted on 25/5/21
Having said that, I think it's been fairly common in Italy for players to switch between the big three. In what sort of circumstances, I can't say.
posted on 25/5/21
Pirlo was sold by Inter to Milan, and he then went to Juve on a free.
Juve sold Ibra to Inter. He later had two stints with Milan.
Seedorf joined Milan from Inter in a swap deal.
Pretty sure there must have been quite a few more.
posted on 25/5/21
Chelsea let players go to Arsenal and Liverpool and City and Utd, so time we got some coming our way.