[Archived] Nicko's January Rumour Mill

[TimmyJimmy]

Nicko

re the worry expressed on the board that any RSC bid money arrives too late to enable our purchase of a replacement - you have the inside track on agents and how they do their business, is it not possible for them to strike an option deal like they do on the finance markets?

For example Rovers cough up a couple of weeks worth of wages and take up the right but not the obligation to buy a player, the player has a medical and ticks all the other required boxes and signs a contract, the agent sits in the Premier League offices on the last day of the window with the contract in his pocket then if the Santa money doesn't arrive he returns home with no sale but a few grand in his players pocket for his trouble, but if the money does come in then he hands over the contract and registers the player for transfer.

Is this against the rules? It would seem to take the sweat out of 23:50 scenario and we already have the precedent of follow on contract options like for Givet and Carlos. Heck on the money we could get for RSC we could have a whole coach load of agents waiting down there . What is the collective noun for Agents anyway - for bankers its a Wunch.

[nicko]

Nicko

re the worry expressed on the board that any RSC bid money arrives too late to enable our purchase of a replacement - you have the inside track on agents and how they do their business, is it not possible for them to strike an option deal like they do on the finance markets?

The only thing stopping the Roque deal is Man City not paying enough money up front.

It's obvious that Roque's agents have done his terms - and sorted out the problem of missing out on the golden handshake at the Rovers end.

Roque will know he is walking into £80,000-£90,000-a-week and doesn't have to move house. It may even be more.

So the two hurdles to cross are [1] City pay up-front no-questions-asked money and [2] Rovers are happy with the replacement.

Interesting...

http://www.fcmetz.com/voir.php?id=5317

The boy is here but his club Metz call it a 'trial' - I think it is what big Sam calls a 'test' and if he is fit then he will sign...

[sparky12]

My guess is that he says he wants 40 million but will probably take less.

40 million is never going to happen.. i want 100 million pounds for my self. just becuase i said it doesnt mean im going to get it. if someone said to me heres 10 grand id take it even though its now where near 100 million

[Amo]

If Roque supposedly has a £18m clause in his contract, then what's with the £40m keep-away talk? Roque's agent will know about it, which means Man.City should know about it, and so Big Sam would look stupid to come out with that kind of talk.

[Ewood and I Would]

Don´t you see the possibility that the board will sell at the right price if the correct amount is reached whatever Sam may think of it? It´s absolutely crucial ###### don´t bid that amount when it´s no time for us to get a replacement.

No, well I'd hope not. The board would know better than Sam how much relegation would cost us and Rovers are one of the only clubs that doesn't do thing without the manager's consent. Man City aren't going to offer £40m, and the least we'll get in the summer is £18m if the clause news is correct. So if City offer say £25m on the 31st, I'd HOPE our board would have enough nouse to realise it's not worth gambling a possible £7m against the 30-40 it'll cost us if we go down.

But then football Chairmen suprise me all the time so I could be proved wrong, but it'd be the first major dent in my appreciation for our board since I started supporting them over 15 years ago.

[Anti-Dingle-Brigade]

Not active until Summer. If they want him now, we can demand whatever we like.

We should keep pushing them and getting Sam to talk the price up until the Arabs start thinking he's their second 100m signing and snap him up.

[nicko]

The major significance of the clause is that Rovers were willing to settle for £15 million clear profit from the deal after giving Roque £5 million out of the £20 million fee.

So if they get £15 million clear just now - and get a replacement who does not cost too much - it might work.

The £40 million stuff is just one of those moments when you open your mouth and let your belly rumble.

I think Rovers would be happy to have the money if a suitable replacement was found.

If this goes by you have an unhappy, non-scoring striker on your hands - and that £15 million profit will never come this way again.

[Ewood and I Would]

If Roque supposedly has a £18m clause in his contract, then what's with the £40m keep-away talk? Roque's agent will know about it, which means Man.City should know about it, and so Big Sam would look stupid to come out with that kind of talk.

Sam is saying relegation will cost us £40m, if City don't put in a serious bid soon we will not be able to replace him and therefore risk going down. He's not saying RSC is worth £40m, it's a simple profit and loss statement, what's the point of accepting £18 or even £22 million at the end of the window if if means we could lose 40 in the summer because of it?

If Hughes put up £25m (or one of Kaka's limbs) now instead of messing about I reckon we'd take it, but not if he's gonna do it next week.

[Ewood and I Would]

If this goes by you have an unhappy, non-scoring striker on your hands - and that £15 million profit will never come this way again.

True but there is a world of difference between the Craig Bellemys of this world and the Roque Santa Cruzes. I get the feeling he's not a sulker (well he's said as much) and that Sam could persuade him that if he wants his dream move, he'll have to earn it by impressing on the pitch for the rest of the season. At the very least he says he still "loves the club" and hasn't emptied his locker and said goodbye to the lads.....yet

[Amo]

The major significance of the clause is that Rovers were willing to settle for £15 million clear profit from the deal after giving Roque £5 million out of the £20 million fee.

So if they get £15 million clear just now - and get a replacement who does not cost too much - it might work.

The £40 million stuff is just one of those moments when you open your mouth and let your belly rumble.

I think Rovers would be happy to have the money if a suitable replacement was found.

If this goes by you have an unhappy, non-scoring striker on your hands - and that £15 million profit will never come this way again.

Do you really think Big Sam is naive enough to make a groundless comment like that?

I think if the clause was active it would be a case of "The ball's in their court" rather than trying to price him out of a move altogether, given City's spending power.

[nicko]

Do you really think Big Sam is naive enough to make a groundless comment like that?

I think if the clause was active it would be a case of "The ball's in their court" rather than trying to price him out of a move altogether, given City's spending power.

The clause doesn't kick in until the summer, but it shows what Rovers want to get out of the deal...

And Big Sam's remarks were a little bit woolly. He is talking about what relegation would mean in terms of cost - and why selling is a big decision.

We all know Rovers don't want £40 million. That's just daft.

If Rovers were not looking into the idea of a replacement why was Janko's man in for talks last week, as he has confirmed in Austria?

[alexanders]

Heard anything about IF Smolarek is leaving Bolton and where he might end up?

Smolarek critical of Megson

A player I would love to see on our right wing.

[The Rover of Finland]

Heard anything about IF Smolarek is leaving Bolton and where he might end up?

Smolarek critical of Megson

A player I would love to see on our right wing.

Why? Wouldn´t make us any better. Nicko does have a point on RSC case. He´d be unhappy and we should take money now. But it´s got be £15 million.

[Mc Love]

The clause doesn't kick in until the summer, but it shows what Rovers want to get out of the deal...

And Big Sam's remarks were a little bit woolly. He is talking about what relegation would mean in terms of cost - and why selling is a big decision.

We all know Rovers don't want £40 million. That's just daft.

If Rovers were not looking into the idea of a replacement why was Janko's man in for talks last week, as he has confirmed in Austria?

I think everyone knows what Sam is up to here, he is trying to force Hughes hand on RSC! Hopefully it will work and we can get the 15million we want after santa cruz gets his cut

[EwoodGlory]

I wish it would just hurry up so they can get Janko in.

According to what I hear from a friend of a friend at Newcastle, they have made another move for Given today. They might get round to Roque eventually.

[my_name_is_Earl]

Nicko, is it likely that if the RSC deal was to be made and conducted on transfer deadline day, BS has somebody already lined up to come straight in straight away even at the last minute? I.e will Janko have accepted terms of any contract?

Btw, thanks for getting it right over Bellamy going to City. I've made my brother in law, whos a city fan, look like a mug

[BiggusLaddus]

Why? Wouldn´t make us any better. Nicko does have a point on RSC case. He´d be unhappy and we should take money now. But it´s got be £15 million.

Now, fine as long as we get someone in. If they leave it 12 days without bidding then we must say no.

[donis1410]

Now, fine as long as we get someone in. If they leave it 12 days without bidding then we must say no.

I concour (i think that's how its spelt)!!!!

[RoyRover]

I wish it would just hurry up so they can get Janko in.

Why? I wouldn't be looking to Janko to score the goals to keep us in the Premiership. We all know that Santa Cruz can do it, even though he hasn't been this season.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Why? I wouldn't be looking to Janko to score the goals to keep us in the Premiership. We all know that Santa Cruz can do it, even though he hasn't been this season.

Good point.

Interesting to read in the LET today that Benni has been playing with an injury, had to have an injection in his back and play through the pain barrier. If we lose Benni for a while we could be in trouble if we sell Roque.

[philipl]

Good point.

Interesting to read in the LET today that Benni has been playing with an injury, had to have an injection in his back and play through the pain barrier. If we lose Benni for a while we could be in trouble if we sell Roque.

At last some intelligence returning to the thread!

Any news on how Calve and Gruye are doing nicko?

[nicko]

At last some intelligence returning to the thread!

Any news on how Calve and Gruye are doing nicko?

Calve has only trained for one day...Gueye is having a 'test' but possibly needs to prove his fitness while he is doing it.

Checks on Gueye's appearance record for Metz lately are a little worrying.

If any of our cross-Channel chums can explain his lack of action it would be well-received.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Calve has only trained for one day...Gueye is having a 'test' but possibly needs to prove his fitness while he is doing it.

Checks on Gueye's appearance record for Metz lately are a little worrying.

If any of our cross-Channel chums can explain his lack of action it would be well-received.

Nicko - sorry if you have already mentioned earlier in the thread - but what do you think the chances are of City continuing their pursuit of RSC - and coming up with a figure agreeable to Rovers and the City money men ?

[iamarover]

Calve has only trained for one day...Gueye is having a 'test' but possibly needs to prove his fitness while he is doing it.

Checks on Gueye's appearance record for Metz lately are a little worrying.

If any of our cross-Channel chums can explain his lack of action it would be well-received.

Our Newcastle office are adamant a bid is in from Ashley for Bruce. Audacious. Surely not? Mind you would be a genius move and Wigan are all but safe....

[thenodrog]

He was MOM against Boro and looked class. He also looked class against Newcastle this weekend.

Why can't people see that Grella is a very good defensive midfielder and stop jagging on about Vogel ?

Grella is an Ince signing and will therefore never be accepted by some.

As I have said Grella in the match and a half that I have seen him looks to be just what we have been crying out for years for.

but

I retract nothing I have ever said about Paul Ince.

Wait until the window shuts before handing out the plaudits on this one...

Nothing wrong in asking after all it's City who have raised the bar so massively.

City got Bellamy, and now they have 4 very good strikers. They won't be going for Cruz.

Who do they have who plays as a back to goal 'target man'?

Having a few bob does not buy you class.

City? Arabs? Or are you applying that to both?