Neymar to PSG

[AJLFC85]

A really strange transfer if he wants to become the best in the world surely going to the French league ain't gonna be the best move for him. Then the 200 million pound fee is just insane really didn't see transfers escalating to these sort of figures and now it's gonna have a knock on affect with Barcleona having the money to splash and I doubt Liverpool will be able to turn down a crazy bid if it comes in for coutinho.

[derby1884]

So many outlets express surprise when something like this happens but all that's happening is basic economic theory at work.
If a market becomes suddenly flooded by funds - as the new breed of owners have done throughout Europe - then the question isn't "will prices rise" but "how much will prices rise". Inflation is the only possible outcome.
There's the cost of the asset itself (probably payable over the extent of the contract) and the cost of maintaining that asset (wages, bonuses etc).

"Barriers to entry" - that's a key concept. Sufficient funds - be they from Qatari investment funds, Russian neo-liberalism policies, American sporting conglomerates or old-school Saudi funds have poured into the sport and, whilst making it impossible for anyone without access to similar funding to operate at the top level, have instigated a battle amongst those who do inhabit this rarified stratum.

Hence we see the transfer record smashed.

Inevitably, I would say, there is going to be a "Super League" of sorts sooner rather than later. It may be a European one, it may be a World one.

I care not - jettisoning the 20+ clubs who would willingly join such a TV-led cartel, without relegation or promotion, would lead to far more competitive and interesting domestic leagues as opposed to the present monotonous set-up.
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[Dorking]

There's been 4 different Premier League Champions in the last 5 years, it could be worse, look at the one club domination in Scotland!

[Five and In]

Crazy price for any player, but the desperation for clubs to join the elite will see this repeated I am sure.
The new breed of owners are used to getting their own way and expect instant success. The way that their worlds achieve this is by throwing money at it.

I have listened to some first class bullshit over the last few days regarding Neymar's transfer, but the most priceless one had to be that the Spanish FA were trying to block the deal on the grounds of fair play!
Talk about hypocrites!

What I don't get however is why PSG? (Forget the container full of money and look at the football side)
Where is the challenge in playing in French football?

Neymar will probably become the best player in the French league and will enhance his chances of winning the Ballon D'Or if he also has a good World Cup next Summer, but is that the sole aim for him as some have said?
I would rate at least twenty clubs as currently bigger than PSG and all would give a better and more difficult challenge in their respective leagues.
What happened to challenging yourself against the very best?

Neymar is without doubt a top player, but to be fair he has achieved little for Brazil, including an awful World Cup on home soil, and let's face it, Iain Dowie would look like a world beater alongside Messi, Suarez, Inniesta and co at Barcelona.

Finally (I could go on forever), as much as this has left a bad taste, it's nice to see Barcelona on the receiving end for once and having to sell a player they wanted to keep.

[Pete’s Picture Palace]

Five and In wrote:

Crazy price for any player, but the desperation for clubs to join the elite will see this repeated I am sure. The new breed of owners are used to getting their own way and expect instant success. The way that their worlds achieve this is by throwing money at it. I have listened to some first class bullshit over the last few days regarding Neymar's transfer, but the most priceless one had to be that the Spanish FA were trying to block the deal on the grounds of fair play! Talk about hypocrites! What I don't get however is why PSG? (Forget the container full of money and look at the football side) Where is the challenge in playing in French football? Neymar will probably become the best player in the French league and will enhance his chances of winning the Ballon D'Or if he also has a good World Cup next Summer, but is that the sole aim for him as some have said? I would rate at least twenty clubs as currently bigger than PSG and all would give a better and more difficult challenge in their respective leagues. What happened to challenging yourself against the very best? Neymar is without doubt a top player, but to be fair he has achieved little for Brazil, including an awful World Cup on home soil, and let's face it, Iain Dowie would look like a world beater alongside Messi, Suarez, Inniesta and co at Barcelona. Finally (I could go on forever), as much as this has left a bad taste, it's nice to see Barcelona on the receiving end for once and having to sell a player they wanted to keep.

Iain Dowie a world-beater - what at? The mind boggles.

Great analogy. And spot on.

[littlewiggy]

Five and In wrote:

Crazy price for any player, but the desperation for clubs to join the elite will see this repeated I am sure. The new breed of owners are used to getting their own way and expect instant success. The way that their worlds achieve this is by throwing money at it. I have listened to some first class bullshit over the last few days regarding Neymar's transfer, but the most priceless one had to be that the Spanish FA were trying to block the deal on the grounds of fair play! Talk about hypocrites! What I don't get however is why PSG? (Forget the container full of money and look at the football side) Where is the challenge in playing in French football? Neymar will probably become the best player in the French league and will enhance his chances of winning the Ballon D'Or if he also has a good World Cup next Summer, but is that the sole aim for him as some have said? I would rate at least twenty clubs as currently bigger than PSG and all would give a better and more difficult challenge in their respective leagues. What happened to challenging yourself against the very best? Neymar is without doubt a top player, but to be fair he has achieved little for Brazil, including an awful World Cup on home soil, and let's face it, Iain Dowie would look like a world beater alongside Messi, Suarez, Inniesta and co at Barcelona. Finally (I could go on forever), as much as this has left a bad taste, it's nice to see Barcelona on the receiving end for once and having to sell a player they wanted to keep.

As obscene as this transfer is, that's where I'm at too mate.
Major hypocrites.

I'm utterly delighted to see Barca bullied into parting with their prized asset, after the way in which they've constantly bullied and undermined other clubs like Liverpool - Coutinho merely the latest example - Masher & Suarez before him - and sincerely hope somebody does it to Real Madrid as well.

Karma is indeed a beautiful thing.


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[derby1884]

Five and In wrote:

What I don't get however is why PSG?

So they'll build the team around him as the focal point - unlike at Barcelona where, as long as Messi is there, that team will be built around him.

Egos at play.

I'm thinking - if you're a parent with a 6 year old who displays a decent bit of ball control in your back garden kickabout.......do you tell him to forget all that Maths and English and stuff and concentrate on the football?
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[DonQuixoteII]

....and a delay to his transfer forms means that he cannot play
in the first game against Amiens....

Cannot disagree with any of the above - I've been saying for over
ten years that an elitist league with no relegation will be the
next agenda on the table.

It's probably a generational thing but I cannot wait for the day
when it all implodes - but, with a shed load of sheiks and oligarchs
waiting in the wings, that could be a long time coming....