Boondock

because expecting him to have 100% loyalty is unrealistic. Negotiating a release clause is basically a club saying "look we value you at 180, but we dont want to give you handcuffs so we'll accept 160 for your release"

going back to villa example - grealish was given a 100m release clause because it was set as at english record level and that way the team could say "look we really dont want to sell you as we think you're the best, but if someones willing to pay up for the best, then we wont stand in the way"

in short - its just a way of appeasing players that you're not going to just deny every single offer that comes their way even if they do want out

Aston Villa!

supporting them since 2008ish from the US. They had a player that went to UNC on their squad (Eric Lichaj) when i was picking a premier league team and ive stuck with em through relegation and promotion. Been a wild and fun ride

maybe they dont want to sell him at all and he himself hasn't expressed a desire to move on

Think from their perspective - Osimhen led the club to their first Serie A title since 1990 and led them further in the Champions League than ever before. What's the price tag for that type of club success? Selling him for 100m gets you like 2, maybe 3 solid players but you're still likely short of his goal production.

As an example- Jack Grealish and Villa. They bought Ings, Bailey, and Buendia with the 100mil and none of those 3 have been worth a damn really and Ings was already sold off at a loss. Recruitment is hard and when you have a bonafide star and he's not actively asking to be transferred, put whatever damn price he's actually worth to you on his head versus what all the big clubs want to actually pay. There's zero obligation that you HAVE to sell to bigger clubs.

fwiw though - i saw their new contract they're offering him has a 160mil release clause, not 180

hahaha so many fans of every fanbase have

on a diff note - how do you see the lineups panning out? I just dont think he compliments Curry defensively at all, and offensively, dont know that him & dray both out there together trying to both be mid-range merchants is worth it. Is CP3 exclusively a 2nd unit player then? Basketball wise i dont really like this move

I’m more of a UNC former players fan than a Hornets fan so wouldn’t feel right being the one in charge of that group. I basically follow the hornets around draft time and then check in on them during lulls in college bball

Hoping Villa gets the Sevilla gems from Monchi and not the Roma gems

Truly not sure what to expect here but if Emery wanted him, I trust the process

if he's willing to sign for like half, then yes. So like 3-4mil. Honestly think that's what he's looking at getting in free agency even if its not from us.

However, I hope they kick the tires on potential deals for players like 1 of the big 4 from Toronto prior to deciding on Patches. Would rather have Nylander if thats at all possible. Really think this team needs that 1 extra elite scorer.

how the f does Gabe from Melvin Capital have money for this after the whole Gamestop saga?

Feel the same about Aston Villa’s sub. Luckily we have a discord that was shared in the sub a few weeks ago and a decent amount of people are there but discord is harder to keep tabs on to me

Villa needs the depth and also needs to take some bargain bin shots at talent. I don’t love it but I understand it

I think we’re trying to snag some cheap depth so can focus our transfer budget on players that would be legitimate upgrades.

Villa really needs an upgrade on the wings

Also of note - our CEO, Purslow, is leaving and we’re looking to replace him with a new sporting director (currently targeting Monchi from Sevilla). All this to say, transfer strategy is almost all in Emery’s hands this summer

Who does WH have in their sights as a replacement? Seems like a huge blow to their squad

Reminds me of Villa losing Grealish and signing 3 players with the funds in hopes of collectively replacing him (didn’t work out too well on those particular transfers though)