Aymeric Laporte

[Albertbarich]

I couldn't care less who goes there, I am worried though that they're going to buy the champion league essentially, get their clubs in it and then it's game over.

 

[wrd]

But who actually watches the Saudi league? I know I have 0 interest in it. I live in Orlando and I wouldn't even bother to drive 20 mins to see Messi play out here when Miami play Orlando.

I won't be but I'm not concerned if players want to make their decision based on money earnt, in the sense of, I'm more than happy to not get a player or be rid of a player who makes their decisions on that and they're welcome to do that. I must say though, I find it interesting how the quiet leader Kane, was routinely criticised for not being a true leader who stands up and is vocal about certain things in comparison to Jordan Henderson. Given what's transpired, wonder if people will learn the difference between being an example and a performer (Spoiler; they won't).

 

[jimmy-jojo]

Just look at the list of players already there:

Ronaldo
Neymar
Mahrez
Benzema
Milinkovic-Savic
Neves
Fabinho
Kante
Brozovic
Koulibaly
Henderson
Saint-Maximan
Mendy
Ibanez
Kessie
Firmino

More big name talent already than any European league except the PL and maybe La Liga by my book.

3 more windows of that type of investment with more younger and more talented players going there as the league gains credibility.

...is it really a huge exaggeration?

Salah will very likely be off there next summer and he's one of the genuine stars of the PL.

So not even enough for 11v11.
It will take more than a handful of ‘big names’ to make the league sustainable.

I don’t think even throwing money at importing younger stars will make it sustainable. When they can supplement the foreign ‘stars’ with genuine high quality homegrown talent then it might last beyond a few years.

It will take more than 24 months to achieve that.

 

[ardiles&villa]

16m??? Too cheap surely

 

[carpediem991]

How can we not be in that deal for 16m. Maybe add another 5m as we are in the same league but that still feels a good deal.

 

[Johnny J]

How can we not be in that deal for 16m. Maybe add another 5m as we are in the same league but that still feels a good deal.

People say this all the time about these Saudi deals. It's not the fee, it's about the insane wages. That's why they go there.

 

[Roberts84]

Neves and Mahrez?

Isn’t Mahrez 32?

 

[N'Obody]

16m for Laporte is the fee for a Saudi team because he will not be going to any of Man City competitors. I guarantee if it was a PL based team, the price would be double.

 

[soflapaul]

Can I ask why you wouldn't watch it?

The reality is that my time is limited and i struggle with the whole sports washing issue as well as the corruption in general. I probably watched 25% as much of the last two World Cups compared to previous ones for those two reasons.

 

[Dunc2610]

Isn’t Mahrez 32?

Still easily good enough for the prem though.

 

[McFlash]

Didn't really want to but I've created a thread to chat about the Saudi League...

Saudi League chat.

Seeing as though this is becoming pretty big news, it should probably have its own thread as it's starting to take over some of the others. 👍

www.spurscommunity.co.uk

 

[amathews3416]

I think it’s clear this is a longer term play to create a Super League with their teams and pick off some European giants who are cash ridden to join like Real Madrid, Barca, Juventus, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised if the big clubs selling them players are wanting to lift the quality up as well as they secretly want the Super League.

As for Laporte, initially thought he would be a good signing but after watching us play Sunday I think it’s clear we need pace in our CB play. He would have been exposed in VDV’s position against Brentford.

 

[Chris Flynn]

FIFA hate uefa and the power so I guess they would be really pleased with this happening

also the Saudis have deep pockets and Fifa have deep pockets to be filled

 

[Japhet]

16m for Laporte is the fee for a Saudi team because he will not be going to any of Man City competitors. I guarantee if it was a PL based team, the price would be double.

So what you're saying is Saudi Arabia is in effect subsidizing a Saudi Arabian enterprise to ensure that Saudi Arabian domination of that League isn't compromised. It almost sounds like some sort of cheating.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

So what you're saying is Saudi Arabia is in effect subsidizing a Saudi Arabian enterprise to ensure that Saudi Arabian domination of that League isn't compromised. It almost sounds like some sort of cheating.

I don't disagree, but for the sake of accuracy, it's Abu Dhabi that own City, rather than Saudi....they own Newcastle...who I'm sure will also steer clear of anything dodgy

 

[KingNick]

From @cityreport_

𝘽𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙆𝙄𝙉𝙂: Al Nassr’s bid for Aymeric Laporte that has been accepted by #ManCity is in the region of £16m, but the player is stalling over a move, as per @meejoo_19.

Supposedly Madrid want him ater Militao's injury... £16m is mad though if they've accepted that

Probably different prices for different buyers. Exactly what we would have done with any MUFC interest in Kane.

Probably no bad thing politically for the UAE to do the Saudi’s a favour either

 

[KingNick]

The interesting thing will be when they start signing slightly younger players and pay them to stay 5+ years and adopt Saudi nationality and become eligible to play for the national team.

 

[Roberts84]

Still easily good enough for the prem though.

May be but past his prime and coming into the twilight of his career

 

[ukdy]

So another player we're not getting & the thread grows.

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

The reality is that my time is limited and i struggle with the whole sports washing issue as well as the corruption in general. I probably watched 25% as much of the last two World Cups compared to previous ones for those two reasons.

Fair enough..

Although the PL is pretty bad as well, especially since Abramovic. Corruption is rife and what Chelsea are doing now is ridiculous.

But, I won't watch it for the same reason, I don't have the time. Don't know how people on here have time to post 100 times a day and watch a ridiculous amount of football. Pretty much every player we've been linked with from abroad this summer I've not heard of.