Are you really serious? The circumstances surrounding his falling out with Schalke have given us, a mid-table Premier League club, the opportunity to punch above our weight and make a really ambitious signing of a young, highly-regarded free agent who we'd never have a chance to sign under normal circumstances. It's an amazing opportunity. And you're suggesting we should just walk away and forget about it?

I apologize for my American English. Perhaps I wasn't clear. F*** YES, I am saying we should walk away from this at 170K. You are a dreamer. You say "his circumstances surrounding his falling out with Schalke have given us the opportunity to punch above our weight". Just what were those circumstances? If he is such hot s***, then why are no other teams (the ten that finished above us last season in the EPL and teams in the other top divisions) not knocking down this guys door? As I said in my previous post, he may be the next Hazard, but I don't think I would take a flyer at that price out on this guy. If we get him for around 70 - 90K, that would be fine. If you bring him in making 70K more than Wilf, you will do more harm than good. Just hope we get enough points in the first half to have a decent chance of staying up, because I think Wilf will be sold in January...

Dom Fifield, Palace supporter and one of the most reliable journalists on Palace matters has already scotched the sensationalist rumours of £170K; he maintains the figure is £80k. And I trust him. You, of course, are free to believe what you will!

Probable increased signing on figure

You're basing the 170K wage on a Daily Mail article which will very likely prove to be complete nonsense.

Another (more reputable) source recently said his wage would be 80K:

[Tweet Link]

Perhaps you should hold off on all your talk of walking away from this signing until you have something a bit more solid than unconfirmed speculation from a Daily Mail article. Just a suggestion.

Even if his wage is higher than the quoted 80K, we're saving a lot by him being a free transfer. If he performs well he could have huge resale value as well. There's a lot to consider, so I wouldn't suggest we should necessarily be scared off by potentially high wages considering the other two factors I just mentioned. It could still make a lot of sense for us, financially.

As for why no other top-10 teams have wanted him, it could be any combination of a) not needing a signing of his specific position right now b) being scared off by the Schalke drama and rumours of him being difficult, or c) being put off by the high wage demands that he'll likely have, given that his free agent status will be used as a bargaining ship to demand bigger wages. That last one could be a deal-breaker for a club like Tottenham with a rigid wage structure.

Whatever combination of the above is true, the end result is that Palace have wound up with a remarkable opportunity to make a highly ambitious signing that we'd have no chance of making under normal circumstances, and I think it would be crazy for us not to go for it.

Edited by AdaSirin (02 Aug 2018 5.11pm)

Edited by AdaSirin (02 Aug 2018 5.12pm)

Probably, but it won’t be £18 million to take his weekly pay up to £170k per week I wouldn’t have thought.

COYP

Yeah no chance lol

But I imagine if it was 4 m. I can see palace doubling that

If he’s a success then this time next year voltures will be looking at the same price range as wilf is commanding.

Man why isn’t it confirmed yet

Giggity

With the American accent shouting ‘smack that ass’ ‘where ma golf ball at’

Ok becoming real now. I’m out of here

Yes, but you still get full credit for trying. There are no losers here at St Barnabus Primary.

Bexley Dave

Can you hear the Brighton sing? I can't hear a ******* thing!

"The most arrogant, obnoxious bunch of deluded little sun tanned, loafer wearing mummy's boys I've ever had the misfortune of having to listen to" (Burnley forum)