Speculate to Accumulate.
Posted on August 7th, 2010 | 120 Comments |
Marseille have slapped a £6 million price-tag on the player, which Hoffenheim look like they are willing to meet, but the player would apparently prefer to move to Newcastle.
The problem with that is our apparent reluctance to meet the asking price, which makes me wonder what the game is at St James’ Park regarding transfers. Apparently we have had a loan-to-buy bid and a £4 million transfer fee rejected, which is fine, playing hardball in negotiations and that. But should Ben Arfa be a player that we should just stump up the asking price for?
I would say yes, but then it is easy for me to say that as a fan. As a fan I want to see the best players, the most skillful, exciting players strutting their stuff at St James’ Park. I think it’s what most fans want to see isn’t it? Ben Arfa would fit into that category for sure.
You know something else Ben Arfa would fit? That bit in the statement about developing players for the future at Newcastle. At 23-years old, Ben Arfa may need more focus on attitude coaching rather than football coaching, but there is still room for development there.
You see, the way I look at it is we are being offered the chance to sign a young, exciting player who wants to play for us, for a knockdown price. In fact it was only last summer when Ben Arfa was linked with an £18 million move to Manchester United, and we could get him for £6 million.
Hughton would like him aswell, he even called him “a fabulous player”, so now we have a player that wants to come, fits the criteria of the club, a manager that thinks he is a good player and a fanbase who would love to see him at Newcastle, so why the dithering?
To me, negotiations seem to be becoming rather protracted. If our hierarchy looked at the bigger picture then surely they would be able to see that they have a player they could double their money on? The gain could be massive, which makes me question the motives behind the club.
Ok, I’ll give you an example. Take James Perch or Mike Williamson, who were both signed for roughly £1 million or so each, correct? It is very unlikely that the club will lose money on those purchases, fine, great, fandabidozi, but it is also very unlikley that they will rise by more than a few million pounds if we are lucky.
Now take Ben Arfa, who could be our player for £6 million. It’s a bigger outlay, but in 12 or so months time, and if Hughton can do what he is good at and get the best out of him, the club could have a player that has doubled in value. The risk is greater, but so are the potential gains.
That is what I am trying to get my head around. The opportunity to make some money is there, in fact it is being almost gifted to us, yet we dither. Are the motives of Mike Ashley to limit his exposure to potential losses by signing £1 million players, or does he want to speculate to accumulate and perhaps make a bit of money?
BUY HIM NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!