I deliberately put £70m-£80m to spread the € and £'s that I've seen quoted, I've no idea what their actual valuation is just taking what has been reported (various sources, various denominations). Same with the potential figure we might be buying him for, there is variation.
£30-£35m is a highly significant amount of money if reports are true.
One of the other reasons no doubt that has caused this to drag is there are 3 parties that own him and for sure they would like a return on their investment, but seeing that they only bought him 2 months ago!! It could be argued they are being a tad greedy, but he's their player and they can ask what they want for him. How they structured the deal with sell-on's etc is really fuck all to do with us, other than it's delayed a deal going through as they hold out for a better offer, which hasn't been forthcoming by the looks of things. Fekir is now their player and there can be little doubt that he is Lo Celso's replacement.
What he is or isn't worth €20m, €50m or €80m I'm blind as I've never seen him kick a football before. Football is a funny old game if you think that it was supposed to be a done deal last year for Fekir was going to Liverpool for €60m, who they have just bought for €20m. Now I have seen Fekir play and I would say €20m is one of the best deals of the window so far (fitness willing).
The market is an odd place. Players worth’s can go up and down a lot but I suppose it’s the job of the club to looks at the true underlying ability and suitability for the team. In this case we obviously see Lo Celso not Fekir or someone else as the guy with the biggest potential for us.
For what it’s worth I know a few Spaniards, two are RM and one is Barca of the football loving ones. When I asked, one of them raves about him and wishes Barca were in for him, the two RM lads agree he is top quality and would improve us quite a bit. ‘The type of midfielder you would see at Man City or Barca’ was the quote I remember most.
I haven’t see enough of him to judge personally but he does have a big reputation outside of this country but seemingly not well known here.
I saw more than enough of Ndombele last season to think he would be a brilliant signing, in today’s market I actually think we got Ndombele for a good price. Ndombele for me will prove to be the best signing of any team this window, he has incredible ability.