Transfer: 2023 Summer Transfer Rumors and Discussion - Closed Window Edition

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I think there is a lot of wishful thinking on your part my friend.

He might very well end up at Barca, but I would not be so sure at this moment. I guess we will know soon enough if Messi is Tiger Woods/Rory McIlroy or Phil Mickelson.

Sure thing it wishful thinking of me when I thought he wouldn’t sign with psg but here we are… the offer from both psg and Hillal was/are there… why hasn’t he signed it? What is he waiting for? If barca find a way to fit him in he will be playing in Spain.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Tottenham join race to tempt Caoimhín Kelleher away from Liverpool

Tottenham are expected to join Premier League rivals Brentford and Brighton in a summer race to sign Irish goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool.

m.independent.ie

Interesting...

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Sure thing it wishful thinking of me when I thought he wouldn’t sign with psg but here we are… the offer from both psg and Hillal was/are there… why hasn’t he signed it? What is he waiting for? If barca find a way to fit him in he will be playing in Spain.

So if he does not, you will blame La Liga or the club instead of acknowledging that Messi chose the big fat oily check?

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

So if he does not, you will blame La Liga or the club instead of acknowledging that Messi chose the big fat oily check?

Messi can do what he likes… it’s his life. I wouldn’t blame him for anything bar playing for madrid.

Like with most things it depends… as of now from the looks of it la liga gave their blessing. It’s up to barca to sell the dead weight and make it happen. If they do this they won’t be blamed either.

On another point most wouldn’t have an issue if he signs with the MLS ( for free I imagine) but Saudi Arabia. Now that’s a problem. My only issue with it is that he can give me joy in europe. Otherwise who are we to judge where a player plays? Like when I didn’t make a peep when ronaldo left there. Why do people care?

 

[Chimaera]

He wants the big fat oil check.

It's really just a matter of if it's this summer or next, or both.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Messi can do what he likes… it’s his life. I wouldn’t blame him for anything bar playing for madrid.

Like with most things it depends… as of now from the looks of it la liga gave their blessing. It’s up to barca to sell the dead weight and make it happen. If they do this they won’t be blamed either.

On another point most wouldn’t have an issue if he signs with the MLS ( for free I imagine) but Saudi Arabia. Now that’s a problem. My only issue with it is that he can give me joy in europe. Otherwise who are we to judge where a player plays? Like when I didn’t make a peep when ronaldo left there. Why do people care?

You know why, but let's not go down that rabbit hole again.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I saw this earlier didn’t make too much of it but seems like everyone is believing or wanting to believe Messi to saudi is done… there so many other reports that refute it but y’all are welcome to enjoy this.

You know why, but let's not go down that rabbit hole again.

Wait why do people care?

 

[Chimaera]

they care because he's still one of the best players in the sport, and going to a crappy league just to get a giant stack of looted money is going to be a big story.

For a pure footballing sense, seeing him leave European top level competition was always going to be a sad state. But if he goes there, it's even more of a sad state.

 

[Savant]

Tottenham join race to tempt Caoimhín Kelleher away from Liverpool

Tottenham are expected to join Premier League rivals Brentford and Brighton in a summer race to sign Irish goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher from Liverpool.

m.independent.ie

Interesting...

He’s better than anyone they’ve got and he’s won a trophy in net so that would probably be nice. He deserves a bigger move for sure. He’s legit

Wasn’t expecting to find ska this morning on here.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

they care because he's still one of the best players in the sport, and going to a crappy league just to get a giant stack of looted money is going to be a big story.

For a pure footballing sense, seeing him leave European top level competition was always going to be a sad state. But if he goes there, it's even more of a sad state.

And if he went to the MLS?

 

[Scandale du Jour]

I saw this earlier didn’t make too much of it but seems like everyone is believing or wanting to believe Messi to saudi is done… there so many other reports that refute it but y’all are welcome to enjoy this.


Wait why do people care?

Because the best player in history is becoming a propaganda tool for a very problematic regime. He is joining another top 10 player ever who is doing the same and countless other athletes (all the LIV golfers) and leagues/organizations (F1, WWE, La Liga, etc) in helping Saudia Arabia sportswashing its international image. This is honestly way worse than Qatar owning PSG, the UAE owning City or the Saudis themselves owning Newcastle.

Also, I care because Saudia is giving outrageous amount of money to players that will never provide a monetary ROI. They are willing to burn money to change the perception of the regime AND perhaps control a lot of sports (they are certainly trying with golf). That's the ROI they are after: legitimacy in the market place.

So basically, I care for moral and economic reasons that go far beyond Messi. I do not expect Messi to understand or care about these things. I also do not blame him if he decides to take the outrageous amount of money they are ready to give him.

 

[Chimaera]

It's still a massive story. Best player MLS would have ever seen by far. It also is a coup for the league, even if they have to give him a franchise or something stupid.

It doesn't have the sport washing element of Saudi cash, but it's a big deal. It's a different kind of story, but they're both a bit of a shock.

I think it would be sad to see him playing beer league equivalent. MLS at least has some aspirations of trying to develop players and be competitive. I don't know what the Saudi League's goals are other than people getting to take selfies with Ronaldo.

 

[Chimaera]

I don't blame Messi taking the money.

I think in some ways, considering what he has earned for many clubs who have benefitted from him well beyond what they paid, he ought to take what he can. If used right (which there's always debate) it is multi, multi generational changing wealth.

But I do feel badly that he's going to ignore what are some pretty obvious abuses to do so. I don't think soccer players have to be any more moral than the next person, but there's a discussion to be had about human rights and progress in some areas as well. I mean, can his wife even feel comfortable in that country? Your tweeted comments about not seeing it as a place she could live says the story. Do Ronaldo's daughters live the life they could there? Wealth makes a difference, and I don't want to go down the political avenue. Saudi Arabia is their country. But you certainly are making some morality bargains to go there and take a giant stack of cash. Which he's clearly ok with somewhat already.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Because the best player in history is becoming a propaganda tool for a very problematic regime. He is joining another top 10 player ever who is doing the same and countless other athletes (all the LIV golfers) and leagues/organizations (F1, WWE, La Liga, etc) in helping Saudia Arabia sportswashing its international image. This is honestly way worse than Qatar owning PSG, the UAE owning City or the Saudis themselves owning Newcastle.

Also, I care because Saudia is giving outrageous amount of money to players that will never provide a monetary ROI. They are willing to burn money to change the perception of the regime AND perhaps control a lot of sports (they are certainly trying with golf). That's the ROI they are after: legitimacy in the market place.

So basically, I care for moral and economic reasons that go far beyond Messi. I do not expect Messi to understand or care about these things. I also do not blame him if he decides to take the outrageous amount of money they are ready to give him.

Yup it’s so much more different when they give us money for advertising. Laughable. Didn’t see you make much of a stink when ronaldo left there. And as if you wouldn’t take that money.

This is such a joke. Going to mls would be fine, China too?. But he should be trashed for going to SA. Kinda wish it happens now just to see the meltdown.

It's still a massive story. Best player MLS would have ever seen by far. It also is a coup for the league, even if they have to give him a franchise or something stupid.

It doesn't have the sport washing element of Saudi cash, but it's a big deal. It's a different kind of story, but they're both a bit of a shock.

I think it would be sad to see him playing beer league equivalent. MLS at least has some aspirations of trying to develop players and be competitive. I don't know what the Saudi League's goals are other than people getting to take selfies with Ronaldo.

Mls being competitive in what universe?

You guys are so pro human rights when it comes to other countries… except your own. spare me.

 

[luiginb]

Yup it’s so much more different when they give us money for advertising. Laughable. Didn’t see you make much of a stink when ronaldo left there. And as if you wouldn’t take that money.

This is such a joke. Going to mls would be fine, China too?. But he should be trashed for going to SA. Kinda wish it happens now just to see the meltdown.

Mls being competitive in what universe?

Spin doctor at it again.

If Messi goes to play now in SA it's a huge shame, full stop, and a stain on his legacy. As it was with him not paying taxes. At least Ronaldo waited until he wasn't the best player in the world anymore.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

Spin doctor at it again.

If Messi goes to play now in SA it's a huge shame, full stop. As it was with him not paying taxes.

But it was fine for psg? Would you say no to that money? Cry more.

 

[Duchene2MacKinnon]

I’ve been posting on my phone, anyone want to respond my dms are open. I’ll happily explain to you why you are wrong.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Yup it’s so much more different when they give us money for advertising. Laughable. Didn’t see you make much of a stink when ronaldo left there. And as if you wouldn’t take that money.

This is such a joke. Going to mls would be fine, China too?. But he should be trashed for going to SA. Kinda wish it happens now just to see the meltdown.

Mls being competitive in what universe?

You guys are so pro human rights when it comes to other countries… except your own. spare me.

I do not agree with Ronaldo going to Saudi either. I do not agree with LIV. I do not agree with WWE or La Liga doing events there. I hate that F1 basically has a race in every dictatorship in the World that will pay them enough (and then put pressure on places like Montreal to pay them more if they want to have a race - and that impacts me directly because tax payers are paying for a bunch of that).

Going to MLS at the level he still is at would be about money and lifestyle. It would be a shame because one of the best players in the world CURRENTLY would not be playing high-level football.

China would be stupid for similar reasons to MLS + a little bit of the same reasons why Saudi is stupid (the propaganda effort is not as large, but the regime is as problematic, to say the least).

The implication of a MASSIVE star like Messi (and Ronaldo before) becoming propaganda tools ("ambassador") for the Saudi regime is huge. Comparing it to MLS is, at best, ignorant.

I root for Messi to go to Barca. It will hurt my club, but at least he would be where he belongs and he would not be a propaganda tool.

 

[bluesfan94]

But it was fine for psg? Would you say no to that money? Cry more.

Right now? Probably not. If I had made hundreds of millions over the course of my career? Yeah, I'd say no. Do you think PSG hasn't gotten criticism for its funding?

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Spin doctor at it again.

If Messi goes to play now in SA it's a huge shame, full stop, and a stain on his legacy. As it was with him not paying taxes. At least Ronaldo waited until he wasn't the best player in the world anymore.

It's much worse than CR7 going. Messi saw the reaction to CR7 going for the money and just DGAF, just no responsibility to anyone but Messi.

 

[maclean]

The Saudi money, government, whatever else, it's certainly one aspect. Another though is he's still a highly relevant player - arguably (but let's not argue) still best in the world - and the Saudi league is arguably more obscure than the Chinese one. So even putting aside my personal feelings about what it would do to my level of respect for him, I don't think it makes sense for him right now. If I had to bet, I would bet no, not right now, and I hope I'm correct in that assessment.

 

[Jersey Fresh]

Spin doctor at it again.

If Messi goes to play now in SA it's a huge shame, full stop, and a stain on his legacy. As it was with him not paying taxes. At least Ronaldo waited until he wasn't the best player in the world anymore.

Guy is this board’s Amnesty International spokesperson until it’s Messi.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

But it was fine for psg? Would you say no to that money? Cry more.

It's not fine for PSG to have the owners they have, so everything they do isn't relevant to me.

Evil people doing bad things, no surprise for PSG.

If I was worth $700 million like Messi, hell yes I would turn the money down without even a second thought.

Then I would donate $1 million for the rights of women, gays, christians, jews and others in Saudi Arabia

 

[Spring in Fialta]

And if he went to the MLS?

I think that if Messi left for MLS a lot of people think it's also unbecoming. Of course it doesn't have the extra stink of Saudi Arabia (of all places!) but I'd still diss him for it.

If Messi had any honor he'd just go play in Argentina after Europe. But no, it's always the f***ing money and the brand.

 

[Chimaera]

MLS is pretty awful. But they're at least trying to develop players. Having Messi would get eyeballs and increase revenues for clubs, which would help that aim. It sucks, but is it as bad as the Saudi league? I really don't think it can be that bad. You had opposing coaches trying to take selfies on the field with Ronaldo.

Either way, I would not want him to come to the MLS until his abilities have diminished to where he's not good enough to contribute for a top level side in Europe. I think there's some argument with maybe he's feeling like winding the career down, and then not wanting to play in as rigorous schedule. But I would hope he at least gives another year or two of pretty close to peak before deciding to do so.

I also think we are all competent enough to explain why going to take a giant bag of Saudi money is different then taking the money from most MLS sides. I would be disappointed either way, but at least his wife could live without some of the restrictions on women there. We're talking about a country that only in the last 5 years let women even ATTEND football matches.