crouchaholic

"Actions". He he, that's a good one.

Robbief did quite well in the opening post!

I think it originally was something a player received if the club accepted an offer and thus initiated the move. I'm not sure how it is practiced anymore, but in our case it seems as the actual handing over of transfer request is the key factor, and that whether he "deserves" it or not is a moot point.

Good post. The only thing I'd have preferred from Xabi was maybe a different choice of words, he could for instance have said that there is no point for him to discuss a transfer at all before the clubs reach an agreement. As it is, he may come across as not that arsed about playing for Liverpool, although there is a real possiblilty he'll stay.

Seeing as he'll definitely not ask for a transfer, he'll either stay with us or go for a price we are happy with. A good outcome, under the circumstances.

No, I really did.

Not at all, I was just pointing out the inept logic behind your reasoning.

He plays as a forward, hence the short sprints. If he was put in midfield, I'm sure the manager would have him on the move constantly.

Why do that, when he's a forward?

Gary McAllister.

It's equally small time to let players go for far less than they're worth, is it not? The only realistic options for Xabi seem to be Real or us, based on what's been said by the player and the two clubs officially. The Beckham analogy would only stand if another club came in and offered what he's worth.

Totally understand your point, but I'd rather take the chance of having a destabilising force, than to be short shifted in the market - again. The difference between 21m pounds (25m euros) and 30m pounds could be very significant if we take in for granted that the Xabi fee goes directly into the transfer budget for the rest of the window.

I can only see the two alternatives you conclude with, either Xabi stays and plays, or the club gets a decent price (meaning, our valuation). If anyone here has a suggestion towards a third way, I am looking forward to hearing it. Red Nick, for instance, what do you think should happen if Real fail to pay what's required?

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Good post, Jose. As far as I remember, Barry took exception to being regarded as competition for the midfield pair and possible left side cover, he wanted to be first choice centre midfield. At least that was his excuse. I wouldn't be surprised if he's got a nagging feeling in the back of his head that he should have known that Xabi eventually would leave Liverpool. That last point is pretty spot on also. I have said that he should turn in a request, but I also believe he'd rather stay here if Real is unable to buy him. And they are unable if they won't accept our club's valuation of the player. Dropping the fee to Real's rumoured level of about 25m would be a massive blow for us in my opinion.

I guess Barry must be feeling a right git at this present time. That is, until he picks up his paycheck.

All hail the Voice of reason!

Someone who is very very bad and playing for a very very bad team in the Albanian second division (allegedly).

Anyway, the only reasonable thing in my opinion is for Real to fork out LFC's asking price. Can't really see another option, and I as a supporter certainly wouldn't want one (excluding Xabi staying, of course).

Because he'd forfeit some sort of bonus payment if he did. It's as if a player leaves under any other circumstance than by transfer request, it should formally be considered against the player's will, hence the player's got a 'loyality bonus' coming.

I find the whole 'want to leave but won't hand in a transfer request' business totally absurd. That shit's got to end! I hope the club makes that clear in future contracts with new players.

Sign what? There is no contract offer for him, he signed for four years last February.

I understand your point as well. I just don't want us to come across as dependent on whatever any player would like to do, meaning that it may well seem that the only hope we have is to plead to Mascherano that he stays. The reality is that the club has him under contract, and the club can refuse to sell.

:D

You mean we should go around begging players to stay for a year? I massively disagree. Now, Mascherano signed a contract 18 months ago and I expect him to either take the consequences and play on, or hand in a transfer request. I expect the club to concentrate on other things than constantly re-negotiating contracts and reassuring players they will be allowed to leave, next year or whenever.