24 Aug 2014 09:11:18
Man city apparently trying to stall di maria from making decision to join man united hope its rubbish.

{Ed002's Note - Just to be clear so people don't get too carried away. As has been explained, Manchester United has proposed a price for the player that meets the expectations of Real Madrid. The player, I understand, is keen to make the move. PSG have been rather frustrated in their efforts to sell Lavezzi to free up space in the squad and wages for Di Maria. As such they are, at this time, unable to put an offer on the table. Manchester City has asked Madrid for a little time to see if they could be in a position to make an offer as well - and do not rule that out entirely. This week will see many of the remaining transfer protagonists gathered together for a couple of days (Wednesday and Thursday) and this will provide an opportunity to complete a number of the transactions that have been agreed in principle, to provide for a few moves that have not so far attracted attention and to perhaps discuss and agree a move or two that is entirely unexpected. Manchester United should be in a position to complete the transfer of Di Maria, but do not be surprised by a twist or two just yet. All of the "major" clubs are still trying to get some business completed. PSG will not buy for the sake of it, even having already lost out on a couple of high-profile players - probably including Di Maria.}

1.) 24 Aug 2014
Thanks ED,
All will be revealed on Wednesday and Thursday or perhaps Friday. Bit off topic here, but with regard an earlier comment you made, and without bringing Sydney's ass back into things, at what point would a mouse ever see a Dolphin?

{Ed002's Note - Where do you think crop circles come from? It is actually the Mesonyx invading the natural habitat of the mice.

Do I have to explain everything?}

2.) 24 Aug 2014
City have spent wat they can they will break fifa rules unless they sell first and can't see them selling 50million worth in 8 days unless they wait till january but can't c di maria sitting on bench or stands at madrid till then

3.) 24 Aug 2014
Fireman, they don't have to sell £50m worth of players. £20m raised in sales would probably be enough. Negredo for example, there's Nastasic. If PSG sell Lavezzi or Rabiot then they will become serious contenders for his signature. Don't forget he does prefer a move to PSG and if they offer the same amount of cash for him that we have offered him, he could join them still. MU are favourites right now but clearly it's not a done deal by any stretch of the imagination. Personally I think it will happen as I cannot see the club letting this one go after all the publicity. It would be very damaging to the club.

I would like to know what these "deals in principle" are. Could be very interesting or damaging for us.

4.) 24 Aug 2014
Ya I can see this been done utd wnt let this slip and I can see de jong and blind aswell coming if this hapens I can see us title contenders I ting he will wait till january or nxt summer for strootman

5.) 24 Aug 2014
Glad we cleared that up then, crop circles have something to do with sydney's posterior, might post this on the conspiracy page! Thanks Ed!

6.) 24 Aug 2014
Fireman, we are still in the mix for Vidal, but have we spent most of our funds on Di Maria? I think it will become apparent over the next week by the next couple of transfers we do.

7.) 24 Aug 2014
@Sydney!

I think perhaps that is why we are trying to raise cash for Vidal by selling Welbeck and Chicharito? Perhaps Kagawa could go too? Fellaini out on loan as well.

8.) 24 Aug 2014
Sydney. How do you know di Maria prefers psg over utd?

9.) 24 Aug 2014
SouthRed, the editor confirmed Di Maria's preferred destination a while ago, but PSG have been unable to guarantee him a move. Obviously since then we have jumped to the front of the queue. It seems we are definitely where he wants to go now.

RF, I couldn't agree more. I think the likes of Hernandez, Welbeck, Fellaini & Kagawa can raise funds. I do wonder if it was Fellaini or Kagawa that we offered Juventus in the last bid. Vidal really would be an amazing summer.

10.) 24 Aug 2014
24 Aug 2014 12:17:34
There's a lot of talk of RM wanting €80m for Di Maria. It's getting a bit silly now with all the media guessing on what RM want for Di Maria.

Ed002, is there a number RM want? I presume that they aren't holding an auction, so there must be a number RM have given to clubs?

Is it really as high as €80m? Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I would not get too wrapped up in the money Syd. Are the papers including other costs in the figures they are saying? Are they getting confused between £, € and $? Are they including all of the additional costs over the coming years? Are they including the intermediary fees? What time was the super agent due to land in Frankfurt from Singapore? Is he going to Manchester?

I got a load of abuse last night after Balague said it was a done deal or whatever he said on Twitter last night. I have explained again the situation this morning - see above.

Manchester United have met the financial expectations of Real Madrid and the player will be able to work with his representatives to try and complete the transaction in the coming days. This is done and dusted. Cost wise I am told that the initial fee is well below the €80M you mention but depending on the success the club has over the length of his contract could potentially rise to that eventually - winning the league, winning in Europe etc. I don't know the detail, it is unimportant.

However, the club will still need to meet the expectations being put forward for the player and they will need to meet the fees associated with the transfer that will need to be payable to agents, representatives, intermediaries, a number of leeches and a super agent. Once this has happened and he has passed his medical etc. the deal can be completed.

To be clear - this week will see many of the remaining transfer protagonists gathered together for a couple of days (Wednesday and Thursday) and this will provide an opportunity to complete a number of the transactions that have been agreed in principle, to provide for a few moves that have not so far attracted attention and to perhaps discuss and agree a move or two that is entirely unexpected. It may be at this time that the dotted line can be signed on for Di Maria.

In the interim, I would expect Real Madrid to let him have his medical and get a bunch of the other logistical odds and ends sorted out.

I have said that I believe Manchester United should be in a position to complete the transfer of Di Maria, but I also said "do not be surprised by a twist or two just yet". Those fees to agents etc. are not insignificant.}

11.) 24 Aug 2014
24 Aug 2014 12:17:46
Ed002, I know you don't like commenting on reports in the media, but quite a few journalists are reporting today that Real Madrid have raised their asking price for Di Maria to 75mil pounds. Any truth in this?

If true, no matter how much I want us to sign him, we should walk away. Clever negotiating from Real Madrid though. Leak the story, create a media storm, get the other team's fanbase excited and then bump up the asking price and ask for premium knowing United are desperate.

12.) 24 Aug 2014
Thank you for the clarification Ed as always.

If ADM is signed, I for one will be hoping he ends up costing us €80m as that will indicate we are back where we belong challenging for trophies.

Any change with Vidal? Or am I pushing my luck :)

13.) 24 Aug 2014
24 Aug 2014 16:35:02
REDFAITH,

I hope to god you posted that before Ed002 wrote the essay. Thanks ed for the info, just keep our fingers crossed now.

14.) 24 Aug 2014
@GDS2

I did post it before he posted his detailed answer mate.