I think there is nothing inherently wrong in repeats given that most of our debate centres around Ashley and Rafa.
I also think that we all are speculating and at the same time give our opinion on the scenario, which for the most seem set in concrete.
I am slightly baffled as to the current situation. Therefore, I have looked at the givens:
1. Ashley is a businessman first and foremost
2. Rafa wants to achieve and enhance the team for numerous reasons including his stature
Now the thing is Rafa I presume is being offered the three-year extension on his current salary of 5m per annum (mind boggling) but that’s football.
Ashley wants him to sign this before giving out a budget commitment so it appears. I suppose he is looking for business stability and continuity but I might be giving him too much credit given his perchance for gambling.
So it appears a stalement. We know Rafa will stay until the end of his current contract. Jobs will always be available for him regardless of any of our opinions, as he has proved time and time again he is a top manager. If he signed the extension, it may include a penalty clause(s) if he leaves, otherwise the extension in of itself would not be a deterrent.
On that basis if there is no deterrent Rafa has nothing to lose and can walk away at the end of his current contract and throw the extension in the bin. If not, then he would be tying himself down to an uncertain future. For someone like Rafa it would unacceptable. Other lesser managers, in my view, would probably jump at the chance, unfortunately there all the British failed managers and the merry go round that there appear to be on.
Where does that leave me and my views; frankly confused. Normally you would in negotiations try and get a compromised deal so it’s a sort of win-win outcome. But here we have two distinctly separate individuals, probably as stubborn as each other and that means the outcome is far from certain.
My hope is that a deal can be done but the more it goes on the less likely that will be the case. Even as an optimist I see Rafa here for the forthcoming season and no more under the perceived current situation – not really half-full. That’s my worst case scenario setting aside the impact on players and where they will eventually end up. Though there is relatively few that would be grabbed in the transfer market.
On re-reading this I apologise guys as I can come up with no firm conclusions based on what we know.


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