by Svlad Cjelli »
14 Jul 2011 15:25
RoyalBlue brendywendy And regarding sig. Random reasoning>>your sources at the club
Actually there was more than supposed sources at the club. Or did BBCRB completely fabricate the interview they broadcast with the Sig after he left the club, during which he stated that the club had persuaded him to leave, as they felt it was in the best interests of him and the club?
My recollection of the Siggy move - which came directly from people intimately involved in this transfer - was that the expectation everyone had was that he'd leave at the end of last season (i.e. 9 months later than he did). This was all tentatively mapped out and agreed as part of GS's career planning.
But Hoffenheim - who had been in regular contact about him checking on his progress for several years - made an offer which was considerably higher than anyone could expect - especially as it was cash up front. The club and GS then sat down and discussed this, and both parties decided it was in everyone's interests for the deal to be accepted. Once of the major factors for accepting this deal was that Hoffenheim had been such regular enquirers about GS, whereas there had been NO contact or interest whatsoever from any Premier League clubs. And the club certainly didn't "force him out" - they didn't tout him for sale, it was the culmination of Hoffenheim's long interest.
I'm not sure he was actually "persuaded" to leave as is being suggested, but under the circumstances it was no surprise he went to Hoffenheim, the only surprise was that they made their offer 9 months earlier than suggested an the size of the offer. At the time everyone agreed it was in everyone's best interests, including GS - which is a quite different what i being suggested.