Gaz Baz

[dww]

The story claims we matched the valuation though. To be honest I think there are any number of factors that could come into play - including chances of first team football, wages, signing fee, the fact that Citeh deal was too far advanced to pull out of, O'Neill demanding extra conditions from us.

[MrMichael]

Why not? We had our valuation of him last season and wouldn't pay more than that, so surely the same would apply now? I.E. We (Rafa) values him at £8m bearing in mind he has 1 year left on his contract, and thus wouldn't offer more than that. If that is then rejected we walk away.

That I could believe but the article says we matched Citeh's £12m.

Edit - damn it, not fast you're last I guess

[BFG]

Don't believe that for a minute either mate. If Barry actually had any real desire to join us over any random club that comes in his agent would most certainly have been in touch with us to find out if a bid from us might be forthcoming. No way we'd "just be too late", that's media nonsense, unless Barry really just didn't want to join us over someone else, in which case he doesn't fit Rafa's criteria anyway.

My guess is that Barry was pretty sure none of the top 4 would be in for him this summer.

[red g]

That I could believe but the article says we matched Citeh's £12m.

Edit - damn it, not fast you're last I guess

[red g]

My guess is that Barry was pretty sure none of the top 4 would be in for him this summer.

not having it mate, he could have gone to city talked and sat back for a few days to see what other offers came in.

[Tee]

Main factors IMO for Barry opting for City:

1. Money. 5 year deal - that is pretty much him secure for life now.

2. Almost guaranteed first team place which he would not have got with Rafa - possibly becoming their new Captain.

3. Advised that they will also be making further major signings. Future is looking bright no matter how you look at it.

4. We did not bid, and even if we did match Citeh's offer the above swung things in their favour.

Lets close this chapter now and move on. Personally I am quite excited by the prospect of a dynamic young midfielder like Martinez signing.

[MrMichael]

My guess is that Barry was pretty sure none of the top 4 would be in for him this summer.

... at nowhere near that money certainly.

I reckon both us and Arsenal would have taken a punt at Reece's magical £8m. £12's just silly for a player of his age and stature who can talk for nothing in 6 months.

I guess the credit crunch ain't applying to football this summer.

[BFG]

not having it mate, he could have gone to city talked and sat back for a few days to see what other offers came in.

His agent would have been in touch with Benitez, I'm pretty sure of that and if he was doing his job properly, Arsenal too. We're all guessing but with the move happening so quickly I find it hard to believe that Barry didn't already know his other options.

[the rev leeroy brown]

How much of Martinez have you seen? Why would he be a better replacement for Xabi than the Premiership proven Barry?

admittedly i haven't seen a great deal of the lad. just on sky sports la liga coverage every so often but he looks from what i've seen a decent player who could become a veryy very good midfielder. but the spanish press seem to like him and praise is heaped on him from other clubs. barry is a proven average player in the premier......nothing more. everyone goes on about his set pieces and assists but kyut got more assists and goals than him last year as did xabi (assists wise anyway). he made more foul tackles than anyone else in our team last year. he's older by 7 years than martinez and would cost the exact same amount apparently...12mill. barry WAS NOT a good choice for us.

[red g]

Main factors IMO for Barry opting for City:

1. Money. 5 year deal - that is pretty much him secure for life now.
2. Almost guaranteed first team place which he would not have got with Rafa - possibly becoming their new Captain.

3. Advised that they will also be making further major signings. Future is looking bright no matter how you look at it.

4. We did not bid, and even if we did match Citeh's offer the above swung things in their favour.

Lets close this chapter now and move on. Personally I am quite excited by the prospect of a dynamic young midfielder like Martinez signing.

1 factor and 1 factor only

[Kenneth]

1 factor and 1 factor only

Don't buy it. The chance to play under Mark Hughes was the deal breaker imo

[red g]

[QUOTE=MrMichael;1351336]... at nowhere near that money certainly.

I reckon both us and Arsenal would have taken a punt at Reece's magical £8m. £12's just silly for a player of his age and stature who can talk for nothing in 6 months.

I guess the credit crunch ain't applying to football this summer. [/QUOTE]

This summer is going to be absolutely mental i reckon, smashing previous summers into smithereens!!!

not only have you got newly minted clubs ie Real Madrid, City, Portsmouth, Chelsea again for the first time i can remember if you take out Messi and Stevie G all the top players in the world seem certain to be moving......

Ribery
Ronaldo
Kaka
Villa


all seem pretty certain movers then the likes of

benzema, Aguero, Tevez and silva all 20m+ players potentially on the move to

[red g]

Don't buy it. The chance to play under Mark Hughes was the deal breaker imo

[MrMichael]

Don't buy it. The chance to play under Mark Hughes was the deal breaker imo

Just noticed, all of a sudden your title's come into its own mate. I knew it would eventually

[SERVO1]

One thing i would praise City for is the speed in which they wrapped up the signing of Barry. You just don't get transfers go through that quickly and smoothly anymore, i bet Rafa would love us to conduct our business like that.