What if Rafa spends 30 million plus on a striker and he flops?

[Shaggy]

Especially if we win number 6, we have to be a desired destination to any Spanish based striker, surely?
2 Champions Leagues in 3 seasons, top wages, fans who are nowhere near as fickle as in La Liga. Serious history and tradition, Spanish speaking playing + backroom staff.

As I'm always saying - we are HUGE in Spain at the moment...the Spanish press gives us nearly equal coverage with Real and Barca ffs!
The whole of Spain wants us to win in Athens.

Speaking to Barca fans in Liverpool, they were blown away by the Anfield experience and YNWA.
All these things must be appealing when the likes of Eto'o and Torres, come to deciding their future, surely?

Just been saying similar, mate.

Even if it came down to a straight race between us and United to sign him, I'd honestly fancy us to win the battle. Call me deluded, but if we bid for him (and he's available) I genuinely believe we'd hold the upper hand.

[kopash]

I'm fairly sure you'll have only read me talking of transfer-related stiffies about Eto'o, and nobody else.

If I could pick any one striker in world football, it'd be him. It would be the most exciting transfer in my lifetime, and probably in our entire, glorious history.

Hence the hard-ons.

certainly up there with John Barnes

[Shaggy]

certainly up there with John Barnes

Barnes was probably my absolute footballing hero in the late 80s, even ahead of Rush, but this would surpass even his signing, IMO.

[Zapater]

Will this put Rafa under pressure from the owners?

Is Rafa a risk taker? I just cannot imagine him spending silly money on a forward - maybe for around 20 million (Torres, Huntelaar) but the 30-40 million bracket (Villa, Eto'o) seems out of Rafas comfort zone IMO.

Does anyone know who his most expensive signing for Valencia was?

It was a double signing it was something like 20m for Gonzalo de los Santos and someone else, i can't really remember. But remember in Valencia and other Spanish teams it is the sporting director that directs the transfers, not the manager. So Rafa got quite pissed off with them because they were signing all these players he didn't want at Valencia.

His most famous quote was when they signed Canobbio a left winger/playmaker and he wanted a striker I think. And he came up with this piece of magic(I may word it wrong but you'll get the gist) "I ask for a couch and they buy me a lamp, I don't know what I'm going to do with these players I don't need even though he is a good player I have no need for him."

Anyway, if we buy a striker and they flop, depending on what they show we persist with them. I'd be keen for Huntelaar because even if he isn't playing well he'll still score goals because his such a natural goalscorer. He hasn't been good for long periods of this season but he has still managed to tally up a fair amount of goals. And in the games that he does score he usually makes the most and scores 2. Having him would be a very intelligent move especially because of his age and exceptional finishing ability. The way that he scores different kinds of goals is also promising. I'd love him here.

[marcus50bucks]

I think we will get Eto'o*

*

Without revealing too much, do you know if Eto'o has indicated he would like to join us? He may be our number one target but it would be even better if Eto'o has indicated he would prefer to join us if he leaves Barcelona.

[Fiddy]

I'm fairly sure you'll have only read me talking of transfer-related stiffies about Eto'o, and nobody else.

If I could pick any one striker in world football, it'd be him. It would be the most exciting transfer in my lifetime, and probably in our entire, glorious history.

Hence the hard-ons.

Mmm, I think in this case we can make an exception for your persistent stiffening at any mention of young Samuel in connection with our club. I myself have felt several litres of blood draining towards my lower body at the mere prospect of him in our beautiful red shirt...

[Fiddy]

Without revealing too much, do you know if Eto'o has indicated he would like to join us?

Lecter, 'reveal too much'?! No fear there mate

[IrishPaul]

Especially WHEN* we win number 6, we have to be a highly desirable destination to any Spanish based striker, surely?
2 Champions Leagues in 3 seasons, top wages, fans who are nowhere near as fickle as in La Liga. Serious history and tradition, Spanish speaking playing + backroom staff.

As I'm always saying - we are HUGE in Spain at the moment...the Spanish press gives us nearly equal coverage with Real and Barca ffs! The whole of Spain wants us to win in Athens.

Speaking to Barca fans in Liverpool, they were blown away by the Anfield experience and YNWA.
All these things must be appealing when the likes of Eto'o and Torres come to deciding their future, surely?

*Ahem!!


All the silly season madness will officially start 1 minute after SG lifts No 6 in Athens

I just hope/pray that Eto'o is officially linked and signs for us. He is a fantastic player and what we need to bang in the sort of chances that have been missed by our other strikers this season. The same chances that if they had been taken would have put us right up there with the scum and chavs IMO.


All in all though I trust Rafa and I'm sure he knows exactly who he wants and now has the dosh to back it up. All we need is for Rafa's transfer targets to really want to play for us - if they don't then **** 'em

[kurtangle01]

I bet that the superstar striker we buy will be none other than Darren Bent. GREAT!

[lfc4ever]

Knowing our luck, we'd end up with M Bent! "I'm sure Roffa said get that Bent fella from Charlton, no wonder they were quick to do business!!"

[IrishPaul]

Knowing our luck, we'd end up with M Bent! "I'm sure Roffa said get that Bent fella from Charlton, no wonder they were quick to do business!!"

[marcus50bucks]

Lecter, 'reveal too much'?! No fear there mate

[Rashid]

On a serious note - has Rafa bought a decent top class striker yet? The jury is out on his record of signing creative players or goalscorers.

[Lecter]

you mentioned Garcia in your comparison with Tevez - any particular reason for this other than thinking he could take his place in our squad i.e. not be one of our strikers but more a support player?

I cut and pasted that from elsewhere there was no hidden agenda

Personally I dont believe Tevez is coming (thats an opinion and is not based on anything I have or havent heard)

We have Garcia AND Voronin who play that role I cant see Rafa paying £10 million for another player to play that position

Not when I expect the money to be spent on two wingers and a goalscorer

[Lecter]

Without revealing too much, do you know if Eto'o has indicated he would like to join us? He may be our number one target but it would be even better if Eto'o has indicated he would prefer to join us if he leaves Barcelona.

I dont know sorry