If Parish had simply said we are not paying that amount for him and moved to target B, C or D then that would be fine. We could argue over whether, given the huge money from the TV deal then it is time we did pay for quality but I understand the argument that it is too much to invest in a single player. What is open to ridicule is putting in a flawed bid - with ludicrous conditions - that seems almost deliberately intended to be turned down.

It is as if they are trying to be seen to offer big money without any intention of actually doing so. "Piss or get off the pot" as someone wise once said

The rumour around the Batshuayi deal was that we just stuck in a bid to help out OM and oil the Mandanda deal and, as you rightly say, we've put in an offer for Benteke that was guaranteed to be turned down. I sincerely hope that this is not, as an earlier poster postulated, about some half-arsed attempt to show that, on 1 September, we did our best to splash some cash but here's this term's Adebayor; sorry guys but we tried our best. I sincerely hope not, I really do.

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)

Seems odd that, on the one hand, the club is being vilified for showing 'lack of ambition' by not paying whatever Liverpool are asking for Benteke and then, when they put in a bid with a clause about any potential Champions League position (which shows ambition in my book) they get vilified again.

When the time comes, I want die just like my Dad - at peace and asleep.
Not screaming and terrified.
Like his passengers.

Anyone know how much of the Bolasie money had to go to Bristol?

"It was a Team effort, I guess it took all players working together to lose this one"

Not sure the Champions League "add-on" shows ambition, it looks ridiculous, particularly given the parlous state the club are in at the moment. Championship League ambitions more like...

Edited by bangkokeagle (17 Aug 2016 1.35pm)

'It's unbelievable and, in many ways, it's believable' Tony Popovic

I might be wrong but I thought Parish done a deal with Bristol a year or so ago. They needed cash so we agreed a figure with them to buy ourselves out of the pay on clause and paid them then.

That's my understanding... Might be wrong tho.

Was obvious back then that we would one day sell him. If not why settle with Bristol....

Also my understanding was Bolasie was moaning for a move very shortly before he signed his new contract with us and that they agreed the new deal based on a gentlemans agreement that he'd be sold if a top offer came in.