Obviously a goal.com report of a story in Marca shouldn't be taken as gospel. But it is interesting - and shows how keen Mancini was to bring in another midfielder.
But I'm happy with the options we've got for the time being, particularly once Patrick Vieira gets fit. Sylvinho and Pablo Zabaleta might have to fill in there, but they're not exactly bad players.
UPDATE: Why trust goal.com when you can hear it from the best? Danny points towards the Guardian's man in Madrid, Dr. Sid Lowe, who says this about the failed Gago pursuit:
City were keen to bring the Argentina international to Eastlands and Madrid were willing sellers but, with time running out to finalise the details and complete paperwork on a permanent move, City proposed a loan with an option to buy for €18m only for Madrid to refuse.
Completion of the move was hindered by the fact the Premier League deadline was 5pm UK time – six hours before La Liga's cutoff point. Sources close to negotiations in Madrid suggest that Madrid were seeking to profit from brinkmanship believing they had longer than they realised, only for time to run out on the deal. They also claimed that further delay was caused by the need of those negotiating on City's behalf to get a formal go-ahead from the owner, Sheikh Mansour.
When City first made inquiries about Gago last month, they were quoted €25m and decided not to pursue the transfer further. City's valuation was €15m. But with Gago pushing to be allowed to leave and Madrid keen to bring in a fee, the Spanish club contacted City yesterday to offer Gago for €18m. City considered it too late to close such a deal but their offer of a loan was rejected.
4 comments:
Really dodged a bullet with Gago there. Wouldn't want another Aquilani on our hands. There is one decent Argentine midfielder I would want and he's at Liverpool!
Gago seems to divide opinion amongst Real fans, or at least the Marca readers. Half the comments say he would have been a snip at €18m and is a boy with a huge future; others couldn't believe their luck that City were willing to take such a disappointment off their hands.
A loan would have been perfect.
he's a deep lying midfielder who can create with passign and can time a tackle. He was vital for 2 seasons at real until xabi alonso, kaka, ronadlo and co arrived, now he has been marginalised and the part timers real fans slag all their players off.
Best to leave it till the summer. Not many top class players move in January anyway. and we should go for top class players rather than spending a bit here a bit there.. patience
The buy £ buy £ buy £ attitude has to be calmed down! : )
We're not buying our way to success, we need to build our way to success.
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