Hostage Situation: Javi Martinez Signs For Bayern München In Spite of "Lack of Cooperation".

[jenny_jenkins]

It's not every day my faintly sinister Philipp Lahm icon comes in so handy, but FC Bayern München is trolling this morning, as only they can.

According to the club website, a "very happy" Javi Martinez (aka "this transfer-season's most curiously over-priced player") is in München this morning, having just completed a transfer deal to end in 2017.

Comments

[connorblond]

Ah, isn't it grand to be part of that comedy? I'm sure there are yellow/black bees wanting to be just as colourful :)

[jenny_jenkins]

Website still won't say what he cost (last check: 5 minutes ago)

[marsyke]

They must have paid the whole 40M. They apperentely didn't negotiate so I can't see how he could have signed a contract without Bilbao for a lower sum than that.

[jenny_jenkins]

Holy shit. JFC. OMFG etc...

I don't know why I'm shocked, exactly.

[tweedie]

Just watched the FCB.tv report on his transfer, man his English is just like my German lol. I liked that he kept calling Bayern 'Bayer'. I can't say I'm convinced that this signing is a great one. I'm not entirely sure where he fits into the team. Is he worth the money or did we just splash the cash because he is in the Spain set-up?

[jenny_jenkins]

I've watched him play. He's worth about 15 million on a good day. It's not really an insult. People forget that top signings used to go for 15 million all the time. Quotes were as high as 40 million for this guy.

As for his Spanish record, he's played something like 30 cumulative minutes for Spain in tournaments (if I'm wrong, I apologize, but I don't remember him playing any part at all).

[connorblond]

Hm - we'll see, I guess. But think they want him to play with Schweinsteiger on the double six.

[connorblond]

also ... I think the sums they pay for players these times are ridiculous.

And now all this talk about Van der Vaart joining the HSV. What they want with him, I'll never get.

[yeats]

HIGH-LARITY.

[exiledprincess]

It was 40. Athletic didn't negotiate, and that was his buyout. It's high, but Athletic players are always overpriced bc the club's options for replacements are so limited. Apparently Javi's taking a 2m/year paycut from what they'd originally negotiated to offset some of the price. He's a good player, has been less influential with the senior squad, but that's partly bc he's competing for a spot with Busquets and Xabi, and partly bc he asked to be called up for the u-21 so that they could qualify for the Olympics. He's a DM who is also comfortable at CB. Is 40 high? of course. I'd say he's worth somewhere in the 25-28 range, Transfermarkt values him at 30

[connorblond]

If he takes a 2m pay cut per year then we are at 30 m in the end :)

[exiledprincess]

exactly. and he's young. he could very easily stick around beyond 5 years. 30m over say, 8 years really isn't that bad. I think the people writing him off as a bench warmer will be pleasantly surprised; he was a HUGE part of Athletic making 2 finals, one of which came after beating Manchester United.

[jenny_jenkins]

There are no official limits on who Athletic can take in (you won't find it in writing, I mean to say, for obvious reasons).

[lady_teazle]

Good God, what has Uli been drinking? That's a lotta dosh for a dude who should be about 20m tops. Lol. Also, re Toni, I've been thinking recently that he may decide it's time to up sticks and find another team. He's a good deputy for Schweini, but I cannot see him wanting to go sit on the bench again.

Heard the Schweini to Arsenal rumour, btw? Honigstein says it's a load of b.s. and I'm sure that's true. Made me laugh though.

[blackjedii]

He must really miss Lukas....

[lady_teazle]

Good Lord, what is wrong with me?! I didn't even think of that, just that it's your typical preposterous rumour. I've totally accepted that Schweinski is 110% over. /weeps

[connorblond]

Most of all, I don't think Bayern would let him go.