Ha ha, are you guilty?
As a bonus, we are signing a player not involved with the Euros. I think that quite a bit of the future muppetry on the Caf will depend on the Euros. (Injuries, performance, etc..)
Will be nice to have this one done early.
Edit: No Olympics either for him.
Why not?
Why not? I just searched around, and he seemed to be declaring himself available for selection only a few months ago?
Very excited about us signing this lad, will be interesting to see how we intend on using him and how quickly he adapt.
Oh how I'd love it if he becomes a bigger success than Eden Hazard.
Some people still think that the Bundelisga is some sort of replica and standard like the Uzbekistan league or something. It's a tough league to win and play in, and Kagawa has handled it very well and was a major part of a team that won back to back titles
Some people still think that the Bundelisga is some sort of replica and standard like the Uzbekistan league or something. It's a tough league to win and play in, and Kagawa has handled it very well and was a major part of a team that won back to back titles
Manchester United commercial director Richard Arnold insists the club are not looking to sign Japan playmaker Shinji Kagawa simply to sell shirts.
Kagawa is reportedly close to moving from Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund to Old Trafford on a €15 million transfer, which could rise to €22 million with add-ons. Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke fuelled speculation further on Tuesday evening, telling Derwesten: "Both sides want to conclude the deal."
Meanwhile, United's South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung may exit the club this summer, sparking talk the club are looking to the sign Kagawa to boost brand recognition throughout Asia. Arnold, though, believes United's individual players do not drive the club's off-field profitability.
"We don't sign players to sell shirts." Arnold said. "We are reliant on 25 players and they are all massive stars. We have 25 George Clooneys.
"When you look at the success we've seen in that part of the world [Asia], it isn't down to any one player or person. Of course, Ji is a fantastic player, was captain of the South Korea team and continues to be a key part of our squad.
"But for Manchester United, it's more than any one player. It was more than George Best, it was more than Bryan Robson, it was more than David Beckham, it was more than Cantona, than Park.
"Ji is very popular in Korea, just as Javier Hernandez is hugely popular in Mexico, but Paul Scholes has his own Chinese character. These are huge stars and the big stars are the big stars in every country. Our games are shown 1.1 billion homes across the globe and you think 'which film does that 60 times a year?'
"Be it George Clooney or Brad Pitt, what is there where that is shown? There just isn't anything like it."
In Dortmund's 4-2-3-1 formation, Kagawa plays just off lone-striker Robert Lewandowski. I seem to think though, sometimes, it looks - from his positioning -, he's a second striker.
His strengths are his great close-control and his technique. Until today, I haven't found out whether he's a right or left-footer, seems to do very well with both feet. Kagawa creates and scores, as shown in his statistics - 21 goals in 48 matches.
His understanding and use of space is superb, he's very intelligent and his off-the-ball movement is fine too.
I think it'd be too easy to define him as a #10 or a second striker - he's very versatile, does tend to drift out wide, although he hardly crosses the ball into the box, but does go inside. Not only a very fine player on the ball, he's also a hard-worker off the ball, who works tirelessly to win the ball back once it's lost.
In my opinion, he's class, has the potential to even take his game up a notch and - if used rightly - will be very good addition to our team. Not too sure though, where exactly he will be used. Behind Rooney as secondary striker, out wide or even in a two-man midfield? He'll make us more versatile, which is good - especially in Europe with a 4-5-1 in mind - he can play INSTEAD of Rooney with Hernandez and Welbeck up front. Because, let's be honest, without Rooney, this team has looked hopeless and toothless in the attacking third. I, for one, am excited if we get him, very excited.
"We are reliant on 25 players and they are all massive stars. We have 25 George Clooneys.''
Thats horrible.
For starters, my Shinji would work better than Kagawa.. Even then, it sucks.
You wake up and the first thing you do is post some random shit on Redcafe?
In Dortmund's 4-2-3-1 formation, Kagawa plays just off lone-striker Robert Lewandowski. I seem to think though, sometimes, it looks - from his positioning -, he's a second striker.
His strengths are his great close-control and his technique. Until today, I haven't found out whether he's a right or left-footer, seems to do very well with both feet. Kagawa creates and scores, as shown in his statistics - 21 goals in 48 matches.
His understanding and use of space is superb, he's very intelligent and his off-the-ball movement is fine too.
I think it'd be too easy to define him as a #10 or a second striker - he's very versatile, does tend to drift out wide, although he hardly crosses the ball into the box, but does go inside. Not only a very fine player on the ball, he's also a hard-worker off the ball, who works tirelessly to win the ball back once it's lost.
In my opinion, he's class, has the potential to even take his game up a notch and - if used rightly - will be very good addition to our team. Not too sure though, where exactly he will be used. Behind Rooney as secondary striker, out wide or even in a two-man midfield? He'll make us more versatile, which is good - especially in Europe with a 4-5-1 in mind - he can play INSTEAD of Rooney with Hernandez and Welbeck up front. Because, let's be honest, without Rooney, this team has looked hopeless and toothless in the attacking third. I, for one, am excited if we get him, very excited.
at the George Clooney reference.
United have increased their original offer, despite the 23-year-old only having one year left on contract, as they recognise there is massive commercial potential in signing the Japan international.
Sorry if this has been mentioned too, but this is a quote from the Daily Mail today:
Pathetic journalism, making out the only reason we're in for him. Maybe they should get their heads buried out of the Premier Leagues arses and understand that there are talented players from all over the globe, I don't think a player with one year left on his contract being sold for around €17m-€22m is just purchased for his commercial potential.
That isnt what it says though is it?
They are just saying we are happy to go above the original offer, as they feel the rewards will be worth it.
Nail to head
They are clearly just stating that we are willing to pay a tad more as the deal will pay for itself. We obviously rate him as a player but we will pay more than he is worth (considering only one year left) as he will be so commercially beneficial.
You're my Kagawa
Shinji Kagawa
you make me happy
when skies are grey
and Eden Hazard's
a twitter bastard
so please don't take,
my Kagawa away!
United and Dortmund are in agreement - Dortmund receive up to 20m EUR for Kagawa. Only the signatures are left now...
Dortmund and United have been negotiating for weeks now - but apparently - some minor details aside - a deal has finally been agreed. The deal looks like this: Dortmund receive approximately 15m EUR upfront, add-ons will be included as well. If United and Kagawa win (any, no specific details given) silverware, the fee may come up to 20m EUR, according to BILD sources.
As was the case when Real signed Beckham.
Eh? Real actually paid less than the going rate, we had agreed a higher price with Barca.