by maffff »
23 Jun 2012 00:18
Lots of stuff from expectant (rattled) Liverpool fans saying he's being unveilled for them tomorrow - coming from some twitter reports.
Sources from Iceland say he's flying home in the morning. No deal signed yet with any club. Has spoken to McDermott (beginning of week) and AZ since (still believe this was 'phone only). I'm still sure those saying we're in pole position are gettin a bit ahead of themselves but with Pog in, and Zingarevich speaking to him in the Russia training camp, and Zingarevich's relentless persuit of Gylfi on McD/Hammond's behalf, looking to sell his vision, no matter what happens here we come out of this deal well and Zingarevich is showing exactly the right sign of intent. He's giving the manager 100% backing, letting him and Hammond pick the players then lending his weight where he can to get them through the door.
As a club operating with no fixed budget, simply a 'right player for the right price' and 'dont destroy the wage budget' we are in a great position and McDermott is frugal enough to know where to push it and where to leave things, like the Chris Gunter bid.
Pog - effectively self financing - is a great example. No fee, wages around £35k p/w when bonuses are included (contacts are complex, that's probably what it'll work out at, but with all clauses having sub clauses you'll never get exact detail) if we go down and sold him the following January (as it stands McD has assurances from Zingarevich that he has a minimum of 18 months - no matter what happens this season his job is safe. If we go down we need to be competitive next season) that's approximately £2.25m spent, plus the signing on fee, we could recoup at least most of that as a transfer fee. if we stay up then he's already worth more than the £6m life of the contract. No risk really.
How exciting...............