So much of the blame over the agent fee seems to be falling on United for not paying it and/or Raiola for wanting it. But it's Juve are contracted to pay the 20% to Raiola, so they keep trying to up the required fee to cover it. Some papers keep saying that United has to work out the fee with Raiola, but if that were the case then Raiola wouldn't be reportedly meeting with Juve today. It really seems that Juve has been jerking us around, upping the fees every time we come close to agreeing. If we put together the various reports of the last week or so.....
United offer 100m Euros. Juve say it needs to be 120m.
United then offer 110m Euros + 10m bonuses. Juve says it needs to be 120m without bonuses.
United finally give in and offer 120m. Juve says, "Well, you agreed to that rather easily, so, umm, what we meant was 120m net to us after agent fees, so it's really 145m that you need pay."
United would seem to be rightly angered, and after getting yanked around like this, I wouldn't blame United for telling them to get lost. And maybe that is what it might take to conclude the deal one way or another. United may need to be truly willing to walk away in order to force Juve to decide if they can leave all that money on the table. If you're not willing to walk away from a deal, and the other side knows this, then you're going to get screwed on the price.
I like your post and the way you think. U clearly know your stuff.
I said the same thing a couple of days ago that the contract/agreement between Raiola/Pogba and Juventus isn't Uniteds problem. Woody shouldn't even touch that subject and frankly if Marotta tries to bring this problem into the negotiations we should just tell him that's not our biz. (a smile and a walk to the coffe table will do ;-)
The negotiation strategy that Juve is using is well known, pushing the deal sideways by demanding small adjustments for every step. A experienced negotiater will off course ignore such proposals by sticking to the original offer whenever the subject is on the table. By standing your ground you push the other part to find other solutions.
Off course without knowing I think that Woodward has giving Marotta a final all inclusive offer, let's say €125m. With Higuains fee in mind it's also fair to think that United will pay Juve in two installments, one up front and the second next year.
Should I guess then I think that Marotta tries to lowball Raiola (and in the end United) by asking him (and Pogba) to lower their demands in order to finalize the deal. Raiola then, off course, asking Woodward for help by offering more. Hopefully then our CEO tells Raiola that's this isn't our problem, with all due respect. Then the old arch enemies (Zlatan2Inter) Marotta and Raiola will drink and arm wrestle until they both fall asleep. (Next morning they are buddies again)
The positive news is that Juve bought Higuain. Whatever people say this deal is connected to the transfer of Pogba. Those who think or say differently probably hasn't a single clue about liquidity and cash flows.
In the end I think all parties will do their parts. To much money, prestige and goodwill (or badwill) involved. IMVHO this deal is finalized many many days ago, only show boating and political statements left.
Juve will off course then tell the old lady and the whole world they got a record fee. I fully expect them to exaggerate every single number who's available. Mino Raiola will smile and doing moonwalk all the way to the bank and Woody, my favorite all time Ed, will dance the Hula Hula song all night long. (Lionel Richie extended version)
