22 year old creative midfielder. Has potential to be a world beater. Comfortably more quality on the ball than Wilshere. Is one of many young talents from Sporting & is 1 of 4 more players to file notice.

If we can show a bit of initiative and get in there early, he could be the perfect signing for us. Will almost certainly be on lesser wages than Wilshere, is younger, better (in my opinion) and hasn’t had an injury ridden career so far.

If Wolves can land Rui Patricio, no reason we can’t do something similar with one of the many players dropping out of a vastly talented squad. But it’ll be vital to be one step ahead and get in there early.

We're the Arthur over ere!

We don't do "early"

Their cases are still being judged. You can;t leave for free. They've terminated their contracts on their own. They think they're entitled because the club has not ensured their safety.
But there will surely be a compensation fee to be pais. And it might be really big in some cases, like for Fernandes or Gelson Martins.

I sincerely doubt it that mid-table clubs will risk taking them in. What if the court decides that you'll then have to pay Sporting their release clause? That would be a monumental risk for a club which doesn't have that money.

Patricio is a 30 old keeper for whom Sporting was asking just 10-12 million.

[Link]

If a compensation fee will be required, it won't be much.

Now for Gelson Martins or Bruno Fernandes it could be a totally different price. Martins had a release clause of 53 million. Even Podence had a release clause of 45 million.
About Bas Dost....I''m not sure he's really suited for English football, he's pretty slow, I wouldn"t risk it. And he had a 54 million release clause too. Totally not worth it if clubs will be forced to pay it.

Well, the player himself will have to pay most of it if they;re found guilty of breaching contract, but de facto, in order to sign for other clubs, they make a deal so that the club will financially help them in case the court will decide against them.

Honestly, I'm not really sure how the court could just let them free. Even if they were assaulted by fans. This has happened before (maybe not at this level) and players didn't simply tear up their contracts and left. Club had guards. It's impossible to make them responsible because they didn't have dozens of guards to stop dozens of angry fans.

Edited by mattteo (20 Jun 2018 5.45pm)

Take yours and mattteo’s points as fair. Was never likely as our type of avenue anyway, but you hear of what’s going on there and see the word “free” and can’t help but feel there isn’t something to capitalise on. Even if it were to be a settled agreement with the club on the basis that player a or b doesn’t want to be there.

The Portuguese giants have had some of the most exciting young players for the past few years. Wonder what mattteo thinks of Podence who is supposedly one of the more under the radar wonderkids.

We're the Arthur over ere!

I admit I haven't seen him much. I've watched Sporting a lot this season, but he's been mostly injured. I did like the work rate, but I think that's normal for a 22 year old. Sporting has had some desilusional years finishing always behind Porto and Benfica and the fans' desire was that they promote youngsters. Podence was given as an example of a Portuguese player who must be promoted and will be better than foreigners. They are a bit too optimistic. He may be good, but there's a bit of Portuguese pride in him playing. Nevertheless, at 22 he doesn't do bad. I'd have him!!

But in this situation...I'd be afraid to take him because I might have to pay his release clause

Edited by mattteo (20 Jun 2018 11.54pm)

Edited by mattteo (20 Jun 2018 11.54pm)