Aquilani

[Lecter]

But both teams got an option to get someone for free (Pirlo and Montolivo). Not sure why you like to ignore that.

And there have been numerous other takers over the last few years havent there

Not sure why you like to ignore that

[Mattshark]

And there have been numerous takers over the last few years havent there

Not sure why you like to ignore that

Not sure that is relevant. He looked good at both clubs, both of whom are top clubs, (and is far superior to all but 2 of midfielders) but they had the chance to get better players in the same role for free. The Juve and Milan not completing the sale as an argument against him is a very weak one.

[dww]

Not sure that is relevant. He looked good at both clubs (and is far superior to all but 2 of midfielders) but they had the chance to get players in the same role for free.

But Milan in particular were criticised heavily for lacking any creativity. There is no rule in Italy preventing them going hog wild and having two creative midfield players is there?

The fact is that a deal of a fee + wages has been too much for anyone to consider buying him. A lot of that seems to be down to his attitude and injury record rather than ability. However all those things are factors in whether a player is right to play for a team.

Even though I believe he is very talented and think it is a shame that it hasn't worked out, pretending that Aquilani is/was a sensible solution to our problems given the issues he has had seem a bit of stretch.

[Lecter]

Not sure that is relevant. He looked good at both clubs, both of whom are top clubs, (and is far superior to all but 2 of midfielders) but they had the chance to get better players in the same role for free.

Ok then I'll bite

He looked that good at Juventus that nobody was subsequently prepared to take him on a permanent deal

He looked that good at Milan that the best he can find is a deal with Fiorentina that looks like yielding zero fee and we will have to pay him off

[Lecter]

The fact is that a deal of a fee + wages has been too much for anyone to consider buying him.

[Rowan]

Not sure that is relevant. He looked good at both clubs, both of whom are top clubs, (and is far superior to all but 2 of midfielders) but they had the chance to get better players in the same role for free. The Juve and Milan not completing the sale as an argument against him is a very weak one.

I think its a reasonable point though Matt. In the scheme of things even with Montilivio coming in £6 million wasn't an excessive amount (less that Wickham, the same as Adam etc) yet AC went out of there way not to pay it.

But looking past that. He's been available for 2 years now at TK Maxx pricing and no-one wanted to take a punt on him. Nobody. If he was as good as he's made out to be then the italian teams should have been falling over themselves to pick him up for under £10 million.

All in all something smells like **** to me with this one.

[Lecter]

Even though I believe he is very talented and think it is a shame that it hasn't worked out, pretending that Aquilani is/was a sensible solution to our problems given the issues he has had seem a bit of stretch.

From the moment Rodgers mentioned Aquilani having problem settling it was clearly obvious that all this talk of "not being given a chance" and "new start" was just ****ing PR bollocks by him and his agent

Why would Rodgers have publicly make those sort of comments about him if it wasnt the case and Rodgers, the club and Aquilani were all planning accordingly

[Tee]

Maybe the crux of the matter here is his wages rather than his ability. No one else was prepared to pay him what we are, and is it not conceivable that Milan and Juve got alternatives who made much more sense financially as well as on the pitch.

[Lecter]

But looking past that. He's been available for 2 years now at TK Maxx pricing and no-one wanted to take a punt on him. Nobody. If he was as good as he's made out to be then the italian teams should have been falling over themselves to pick him up for under £10 million.

All in all something smells like **** to me with this one.

[Mattshark]

I think its a reasonable point though Matt. In the scheme of things even with Montilivio coming in £6 million wasn't an excessive amount (less that Wickham, the same as Adam etc) yet AC went out of there way not to pay it.

But looking past that. He's been available for 2 years now at TK Maxx pricing and no-one wanted to take a punt on him. Nobody. If he was as good as he's made out to be then the italian teams should have been falling over themselves to pick him up for under £10 million.

All in all something smells like **** to me with this one.

I think more than anything it is his wages.

[Lecter]

Maybe the crux of the matter here is his wages rather than his ability. No one else was prepared to pay him what we are, and is it not conceivable that Milan and Juve got alternatives who made much more sense financially as well as on the pitch.

Not when hes been demanding LFC make up any shortfall in his wages no

[The_weatherman]

How long did he have left on his contract, I would honestly think about having him rot in the reserves and bite the bullet, serve a reminder as well. He can then ask us to cancel his contract if he doesn't like it.

[Lecter]

I think more than anything it is his wages.

Hes been asking LFC to make up any shortfall in wages in the event of a permanent deal

Yet still other clubs havent shown willingness to take him

[Lecter]

How long did he have left on his contract, I would honestly think about having him rot in the reserves and bite the bullet, serve a reminder as well. He can then ask us to cancel his contract if he doesn't like it.

2 years

Would cost £8-10 million in wages to do that

[Mattshark]

Hes been asking LFC to make up any shortfall in wages in the event of a permanent deal

Yet still other clubs havent shown willingness to take him

Yes, not really surprising.

Maybe we previously haven't been willing to make up that shortfall.