21 Aug 2014 22:10:54
So Liverpool get Balotelli for £16m, and we're after Borini for £14m? If both moves happen they essentially get Balotelli for £2m. Nice of us to subsidise Liverpool's transfer activity. Can't help but think that Borini is a bit overpriced if Liverpool are valuing him at £2m less than Balotelli. Even more worrying is the fact we're willing to pay that overinflated valuation. It's time to pull the plug on this one and move on I think. I liked Borini, and I was happy when our bid was accepted, but the longer it's gone on the more I've realised it's not a good deal for us.
{Ed024's Note - Poyet is in real danger of losing credibility - has he really but all his attacking eggs in the Borini basket !}
Well I have just heard that Borini is making us wait because he wants Inter Milan to place a bid for him so he can go there, to be honest 14 million for him is way overpriced, surely we can get someone that is worth that much and who actually wants to play for us time is ticking away need to get some business done quickly.
22 Aug 2014 00:42:21
Poyet's credibility hinges on more than Borini- his transfer strategy was clearly outlined but has not been realised. Most 'key targets' missed. many players that fit the criteria outlined (Caulker, Mutch, Jenkinson, Moses, Bertrand etc) have already moved elsewhere, and we are left as usual scratching around in the bargain basement for last minute signings. The fixation with Borini is reminiscent of the O'Neill pursuit of Fletcher two years back. Of course he eventually got his man, which puts him ahead of Poyet, but we missed out on many players that would have strengthened the team while he fiddled about. Gus, you have a week to restore the faith- if you don't sign two experienced defenders and one regular goalscorer, like O'Neill, this will be your last season in charge.
Not saying that borini is overpriced but when you buy a player the price is dependent on the contract they have left the age and the players past and let's be honest balotelli is a bit of a wild boy. Also when you look how much shane long has gone for to southampton that to me is overpriced. At least with borini we know what we are getting. Correct me if i'm wrong but if you look at the last few strikers sunderland have bought and wasted a lot of money on it amounts to quite a lot. e.g jozy altidore, danny graham, scocco and ji. Not forgetting 8 million we spent on connor wickham for half a dozen good games
I agree that there are lots of factors that influence a player's price, but the main one is quality. Compare Borini and Balotelli. They are the same age. Balotelli is an established first-choice Italian international. Borini has one cap. Balotelli has played consistently, week-in week-out, for some of the biggest clubs in the world. Borini has played more games out on loan than he has for his parent clubs. In fact the most games Borini has ever played for one club was his loan spell with us last year. Balotelli averages a goal every two and a half games, borini averages one in four. And more importantly Balotelli is going to walk straight into a Liverpool team that Borini couldn't get anywhere near. Liverpool are getting an awful lot more for that extra £2m.
Also agree that Shane Long is overpriced too, but Southampton have money to burn from the sales of Lallana, Shaw, etc. so they can afford to pay over the odds. We can't.
Also agree that we've wasted a lot of money on strikers over the years, but that doesn't mean we should keep doing it. Borini is better than all of the players you mentioned, no question, but I just don't think he's worth what Liverpool are asking. We shouldn't be wasting the entire window waiting for Borini when we could use the £14m to buy a few other players. We've already missed out on several targets this summer, how many more are going to go before we do something?
Just been on ssn that balotelli wants 90k a week after tax (180k per week) not many clubs can afford that. but he has promised to be a good boy