Henrikh Mkhitaryan

[Arn]

I don't see a scenario where we bring in both Mkhitaryan and Jorginho so I'd think its one or the other, making me think he's 2nd choice.

We made the bid for him almost straight after Dortmund knocked us out of the HM race. A coincidence?

[SB]

We made the bid for him almost straight after Dortmund knocked us out of the HM race. A coincidence?

We made the bid or journo's put two & two together as per usual?

[Pablo]

We made the bid for him almost straight after Dortmund knocked us out of the HM race. A coincidence?

It can't be this kid, it just can't. He's playing for some Italian minnows, we can't possibly expect him to come in and improve the first team as HM would have done. I know the timing seems to indicate it, but I don't see the two things as linked.

[The_weatherman]

It can't be this kid, it just can't. He's playing for some Italian minnows, we can't possibly expect him to come in and improve the first team as HM would have done. I know the timing seems to indicate it, but I don't see the two things as linked.

Maybe it was Henrikh or failing that, two other signings instead? Henrikh was expensive and with the 5 million agent fee plus all expenses and high wages, so we could be looking at two young and promising players instead?
Only joking with the agent fee....

[SB]

It can't be this kid, it just can't. He's playing for some Italian minnows, we can't possibly expect him to come in and improve the first team as HM would have done. I know the timing seems to indicate it, but I don't see the two things as linked.

Maybe it was Henrikh or failing that, two other signings instead? Henrikh was expensive and with the 5 million agent fee plus all expenses and high wages, so we could be looking at two young and promising players instead?
Only joking with the agent fee....

That makes more sense. Eriksen & the kid?

[Arn]

It can't be this kid, it just can't. He's playing for some Italian minnows, we can't possibly expect him to come in and improve the first team as HM would have done. I know the timing seems to indicate it, but I don't see the two things as linked.

Maybe he fits our style of play and tactics better than someone like Eriksen?

He could also be an excellent player. We don't know that. If our scouts think that he is good enough then I trust them.

They have probaby scouted him a long time.

[Pablo]

Maybe he fits our style of play and tactics better than someone like Eriksen?

He could also be an excellent player. We don't know that. If our scouts think that he is good enough then I trust them.

They have probaby scouted him a long time.

Regardless it'd be too big a step up for him too soon. He'd need time to adjust. No way we'd be signing this lad to go straight into the first team. He hasn't even played in Serie A yet and has only scored 5 goals in his 100 or so game career.

[SB]

One for the future maybe but that's it. I wouldn't expect him to make any sort of an impact on the 1st team for a while.

[Arn]

Regardless it'd be too big a step up for him too soon. He'd need time to adjust. No way we'd be signing this lad to go straight into the first team. He hasn't even played in Serie A yet and has only scored 5 goals in his 100 or so game career.

Well, Coutinho had more or less not played at all for over a year at Inter. He didn't need any time at all to adjust.

I don't know how good he is but our scouts most probably do.

You can still find some gems out there. There are so many excellent talents out there. For them it isn't about if they are good enough. It is about finding the right club at the right time.

[el matador]

In this instance I think you are well off the mark. If reports are to be believed, Liverpool/Rodgers have not been able to sell their vision to him as they have not been allowed to speak to him! In any case, we can sit here and make our own theories as to why this signing will or won't happen. Maybe we were never after him. Maybe this was just another Gaston Ramirez type situation? Maybe it's just a case of being duped by a few crooked ITK's who just sat there making things up? (we used to see that a lot on this forum from a few posters a few years ago!). The best one was the guy who claimed to see him in a hotel in London . He was quite obviously lying when people asked how he knew Henrikh was carrying an Armenian passport. Of course he used google to find out but stated this several hours after people started to question him!

Also Mancini being able to attract players is a load of balls - money talks!

If its all about money why dont most elite players play in the russian / ukrainian leagues where they pay astronomical wages. All top players will earn good money at good european clubs so then it comes to other factors like playing in good teams, playing for a good manager who will make you a better player, winning trophies and being part of something bigger.

Its not all about money saj and the bit in bold i dont agree with either. We will have already approached Mkhitrayan and sounded him out about a deal before we come to speak with shakhtar. If the player has no interest in playing for us why go though all the hassle of the negotiation process ? it doesnt make sense and thats not how football works. First you speak to the players agent and see what comes back. If the players keen then you start the ball rolling.

We've already spoken to Mkhitrayan's people and we would have received some positive feedback. Since then things have gone wrong and thats something people will speculate on.

[BigChief]

Well, Coutinho had more or less not played at all for over a year at Inter. He didn't need any time at all to adjust.

I don't know how good he is but our scouts most probably do.

You can still find some gems out there. There are so many excellent talents out there. For them it isn't about if they are good enough. It is about finding the right club at the right time.

Where is Arn? What have you done with him?

How much do I have to pay to keep him there?

[saj]

Well, I think it is because we are starting to get a reputation that we are a very difficult club to deal with. We had at least one example of that last summer and one this window.

A reputation? What are you talking about???

If you mean we are no longer paying astronimcal fees to players agents, silly transfer fees and stupid wages then we are either

a) Becoming difficult to deal with
b) Guarding our financial futures aka not getting ripped off AND keeping the FFP rules in mind

Now you obviously think the answer is A and think we should pay £200k when attempting to sign new players. I wont bother quoting that ridiculous Salary model you drew up as that was actually worse than the one that took Leeds United into oblivion!

And who was the example from last time?

[Mostar]

Jorginho might be that player

I cannot see it.

BR wants to bring a footballer that can bring additional 20+ goals per season and Jorginho is not that type of a player.

[saj]

If its all about money why dont most elite players play in the russian / ukrainian leagues where they pay astronomical wages. All top players will earn good money at good european clubs so then it comes to other factors like playing in good teams, playing for a good manager who will make you a better player, winning trophies and being part of something bigger.

Its not all about money saj and the bit in bold i dont agree with either. We will have already approached Mkhitrayan and sounded him out about a deal before we come to speak with shakhtar. If the player has no interest in playing for us why go though all the hassle of the negotiation process ? it doesnt make sense and thats not how football works. First you speak to the players agent and see what comes back. If the players keen then you start the ball rolling.

We've already spoken to Mkhitrayan's people and we would have received some positive feedback. Since then things have gone wrong and thats something people will speculate on.

Erm hold on - is approaching a player not tapping up? It's one thing a club being contacted by an agent but contacting a player directly is not allowed I thought? And the Shaktar manager has already said Liverpool have not made any approach.

And how do you know we have spoken to Mikitrayan's people and got positive feedback? That's just speculation. Given the amount of **** that has been written, I am starting doubt we have ever even made a proper approach. I cast your mind back to Gaston Ramirez last season. Agents are well known for fabricating links or exaggerating them.

So you think the players in the Russian/Ukranian league get paid more or in line with say in the England, Spain etc? I believe that is a total myth. There is one team that is paying astronimcal wages and that is Anzhi Miklikittktiikkit. I think Zenit pay reasonably well too but nowhere near what Anzhi pay. And it is all about about money when it comes to teams like Man City, PSG, Monco etc. Do you truly believe any of the players Man City have signed would have gone there if Mancini was in charge and they were not offered stupid salaries?

[el matador]

Erm hold on - is approaching a player not tapping up? It's one thing a club being contacted by an agent but contacting a player directly is not allowed I thought? And the Shaktar manager has already said Liverpool have not made any approach.

And how do you know we have spoken to Mikitrayan's people and got positive feedback? That's just speculation. Given the amount of **** that has been written, I am starting doubt we have ever even made a proper approach. I cast your mind back to Gaston Ramirez last season. Agents are well known for fabricating links or exaggerating them.

So you think the players in the Russian/Ukranian league get paid more or in line with say in the England, Spain etc? I believe that is a total myth. There is one team that is paying astronimcal wages and that is Anzhi Miklikittktiikkit. I think Zenit pay reasonably well too but nowhere near what Anzhi pay. And it is all about about money when it comes to teams like Man City, PSG, Moncao etc. Do you truly believe any of the players Man City have signed would have gone there if Mancini was in charge and they were not offered stupid salaries?

you dont believe that do you saj ?

why would LFC go through all the trouble of negotiating with shakhtar if the player never wanted to come in the first place.

Why would you waste so much time unless the player representatives and the player himself were interested in the move in the first place.