Sofiane Boufal

He's waiting for Muff to make their move!

 

I think we've probably agreed terms but he's sitting on it to see if anyone else better comes in.

 

'Chelsea hijack Watford's brave Boufal move'

Monday's news today.

 

As for WD Sport, they are getting all the credit for this 'story' with most of the social media links referencing them.

So, you know, mission accomplished.

 

Bloody Sport Witless trying to spoil the fun..

http://sportwitness.co.uk/exclusive-price-high-watford-despite-interest-star/

 

Not going to happen, and apparently never was :doh:

 

These kind of transfers never seem to happen, so no surprises if it goes pear shaped.

 

I would say it's pretty evident we have £17m for a player given the strong Pereyra links and what not all summer plus Boufal could easily double in value with 1 even half a good prem season. If they had said the player is not interested and favors a move to Arsenal etc. I'd be more inclined to believe it.

I too can't see it happening any how but I imagine cost would not be the reason why.

 

Ed Aarons ‏@ed_aarons 21m21 minutes ago
Told that Watford's bid for Sofiane #Boufal is way below Lille's valuation of 20m euros #wfc

 

'Exciting times'.

 

Could just be Gino's opening gambit though. No point starting high...

 

This article,is debunking things that were not said in WDS's latest article. It's major poo-poo is of the Holebas-esque 'player knows nothing about supposed trip to England for talks', which was mooted last week in some media but turned out, in our case , to be something different. WDS reported that the players representatives met with Duxbury in Austria, and that this has already happened. They also reported that a price has been agreed, whereas the SW report says the price is too high, which seems to be extrapolating from other reports that we may be paying more than we originally offered.

It reads, to me, more like an article written by someone who is horrified at the thought of Watford steeling a march on Chelsea and the like, ultimately saying that if Chelsea want him, they'll come and get him. Not an entirely ludicrous claim to be fair, but given his current circumstances, recovering from injury, it does not seem beyond the realms of possibility that by being bold, and pitching in early, we may get the guy.

I understand that people want to avoid disappointing themselves if he doesn't come, but just try to relax and enjoy the story as it unfolds. Just being associated with this type of story has positive elements to it, and the negatives are very minor in the long run.

My only reservations are that this has the feel of the Iturbe deal, both in the unknown qualities of the player, who IMHO doesn't look £17m on Youtube, and the way he seems to be getting touted rather than persued. But I'll trust Gino on this one. If it doesn't come off? In the words of the mighty Slavisa, 'F##k it'.

Next!

 

I have a feeling we will end up with Zielinski if Napoli doesn't buy him

 

Not really the proper attacking midfielder we're looking for though is he? Genuine question, I thought he played a bit deeper.

 

Gabbiadini or Pereyra. Zielinski is a "last-resort" I feel

 

He's a CM or AM

 

I doubt we will be lucky enough to get any of these 3 or boufal.

 

Would WDSport really go out on a limb like this without assurances?

 

Probably. They always leave themselves open to go back on themselves, don't they?

 

True

Their "waiting to see if Mazzarri" wants him claim seems extremely dubious

 

By 'themselves', I assume you mean 'himself'?

 

The club may have leaked a story for whatever reason... maybe to put some pressure on a player we are really going for

Or maybe this is real

Who knows....


I don't hold with the can't afford him line, the new TV deal is a game changer for even lowly premier league clubs. A mid table finish plus commercial revenue and player sales we are going to be looking at a revenue c£150 Mill next season

 

Yes. But to be fair, that is exactly the story they are reporting, and it is difficult to see how they could report it any other way. The alternative would be not to report it, so I am glad they have the nuts to do so.

 

Why not? Gabbiadini has the Napoli connection with Walter, Pereyra used to play under the Pozzos (although with Zenit being interested I doubt we'd get him anyways) and Zielinski can easily be switched from Udinese to us

 

The more I read, the more I think boufal is a smokescreen for someone else - who I suspect is pereyra now his Napoli move is off. WD have covered there backside as stated above and I suspect the club asked WD to put something together on boufal with a promise of an exclusive on the new attacking mid when he arrives - I can't believe the club would waste time agreeing a fee and wages without knowing if mazzarri actually wanted him - the board know exactly who mazzarri wants - they are just using the boufal story in a bid to get someone else in quickly, so they also get some pre season with the team. I don't want to sound ungrateful but I hope this isn't another perotti - as I think deeney may get a bit peed off if we don't bring in a marquee player which I assume he was told we would as part of our exciting project.

Time will tell ....

 

That's what I'm thinking. WD clearly have direction from the club, this story looks like a smokescreen for another deal. Hopefully if they're going to this much trouble then the other player must be fantastic!

 

You know what, I think this story might be a smokescreen for someone else!

 

It perplexes me how you people manage to think up these elaborate conspiracies with absolutely zilch evidence.

We want Boufal. We might sign him. We might not. That is literally it.

 

interstin m8 wots ur sorce

 

Jellyman- It is as you say just a theory, based on my reading between the lines from reports produced by the two most reliable sources of hornets news outside of the club itself. They are reporting considerably different views on the deal. As I am sure you are well aware these negotiations are complex especially in our position. Convincing players who are significantly better on paper than we have is a challenge - especially getting the first one over the line. We had a similar issue with Strambouli and perotti last year. This is why I think games are played, media are used, in order to get a player to commit to us and not wait for other more prestigious clubs to come in. We have our deadlines before we move on to other players

 

I think your comment is a smokescreen for this story not being a smokescreen.

 

Well now that all the excitement has died down and it's obvious WDSport lied about this story just to get more followers and traffic through their website, I guess it's back to reality, Will Hughes anyone?

 

Too expensive. No value in British market, apparently.

 

Will Hughes do what?

 

No, they want you to think it's a smokescreen for someone else but really it isn't. Cunning!