Mathieu Valbuena......WTF

OK, so I don't watch a ton of French league football although I do see it more now (Last Season) that BEIN carries a lot of there games.

Almost every time I see Mathieu Valbuena play I am impressed, and when he plays for France around other top players (no offense to OM) he looks even better so why in the world in this crazy transfer market with players going for insane prices is he being linked with relegation fodder in the EPL for around 6.5 mill?

I know I know it's the last year of his contract but a ton of other players are going for decent money in the last year of there deals this transfer market. I mean really? Is QPR the best this guy can hope for? Couldn't Atletico, Dortmond, United, Spurs, any of the Italian teams not only buy this guy on the cheap but USE/NEED him?

This guy is class and he's only 29. What is going on here? Is anyone else a little baffled by this one?

"Only 29"?

Apart from that, all I've got to say is that money talks - and the most beautiful league in the world has got the most of it

If he was a few years younger, then bigger teams would be after him imo.

Yohan Modric wrote:If he was a few years younger, then bigger teams would be after him imo.

I dunno, most of the big teams don't need a player like him. Or can you name a team that does?

Sometimes transfers like this work this way, especially with young hyped players (e.g. guys like Yann M'Vila or Gaston Ramirez) but yeah what's weird about this is that Valbuena is mature and has been performing really well for years now. It'll be mind-boggling if he does end up at QPR or West Ham.

He's got at least a couple more top seasons in him probably.

That said, West Ham (at least) have been making some ambitious moves/gambles in this transfer window so far, so maybe there's a little more ambition to their interest. We'll find out.

Any of the top Italian teams. Possibly Spurs.

Yohan Modric wrote:Any of the top Italian teams. Possibly Spurs.

Top Italian teams competing with mid-table PL teams, yeah right

Tottenham have already got loads of players.

Valbuena is 29,will have no resale value and will be looking for a big pay since he's in his prime years.Not a suitable signing for Serie A sides who are a lot dependent on revenue from transfers these days.

I agree with this thread. Every time I've watched him I have been impressed by his intelligence and delivery.

Underrated player.

Yanited and Spurs don't need a 10, I agree he's a great player but neither need someone like him right now.

In fact most of the top 10 in England right now don't need a 10.

Spurs already have enough players to be comfortable at the top of the pitch, and that's not even including the possibility of J-Rod coming (love calling him that).

Just because teams have players that play his position doesn't mean they can't upgrade. I have seen him play all over the attacking side of the field so it's not like he's relegated to only being a number 10.

In fact numerous teams have been buying players at positions in which they have good players at. An offensive player like him that can play all over the field and can play for France in there attack which is not easy to crack that lineup is worth way more than the figures being leaked and the numbers being thrown around.

I mean I'm not saying he's gonna walk into a top team and just grab a starting spot but he is really good and to be linked with West Ham and QPR seems crazy.

And by the way 29 is not old for whomever tried to say it is especially in a player like him who has shown very little wear and tear and who isn't out partying every night.

S wrote:Valbuena is 29,will have no resale value and will be looking for a big pay since he's in his prime years.Not a suitable signing for Serie A sides who are a lot dependent on revenue from transfers these days.

Re-sale value? Who cares? It looks as if you can get him for 6.5 mill.

You don't need to re-sell the guy you buy him and have him on your team for the next 3-4 years and the little money you spent on him you will forget about half way through his first year on the team.

I mean this used to be a classic AC Milan buy but I guess there not interested, Atletico could use him and a bunch of Serie A sides could as well, almost all of La Liga outside Madrid and Barca could use him, Lots of EPL sides as well, I'm not quite sure why people think he couldn't play for Spurs LOL. And a bunch of German teams too and I'm talking upper echelon teams.

IT seems like such a no brainer plus from what I saw and II saw all of Frances games he looked to have a very good world cup as well and kept some great players off the field.

I mean this is like the least risky transfer ever at his price and he has to settle for relegation fodder, it's crazy.

I'm kind of amazed Bielsa is letting him walk away.

Thought Valencia were signing him

Story of his career.... plays great yet everyone want to write him off. The issue with OM is that they don't want to extend him based on his wage demands (same issue with Gignac). So he has 3 options: 1- leave, 2- play the last yearvof his contract and then leave or 3- ask for less wages. He's looking to take option 1 it seems.

I am baffled that nobody is picking him up. He can really play. Gives it everything he has when he's on the pitch.

probably wages could be the reason.

I too agree he is a very underrated player. Played very well in the wc. a cool pocket dynamo who gives his 100% everytime hopefully he can end up at a decent side. not some relegation fodder ..

I think it may also have to do with physique....most managers across top teams in europe still have a phobia for signing players small in stature especially when the bulk of those teams are focused on a counter attacking style that may require even their offensive players to occasionally drop deep or help out on defense. Other than such logic, i don't see why any descent side hasn't gone for him.

I understand he may not be what the creme de la creme clubs of european football are looking for, but i reckon some serie a teams could make use of his services.

i don't follow ligue un either,( i amy catch some psg games often but that's about it); but on the rare occassions when i watch valbuena play, especially for france he usually impresses me the most.....but yeah i think the physique argument may be a reason for teams not going all out for him ....i could be wrong though, its just a guess

I wonder how he'll fit in the PL after his found out. He has a small build on him, but definitely quality. Don't think he's "top level" quality though.

Red Alert wrote:I wonder how he'll fit in the PL after his found out. He has a small build on him, but definitely quality. Don't think he's "top level" quality though.

Found out how? A good player is a good player even after you realize he's a good player.

Close to joining Dynamo Moscow, according to L'Equipe.

ffs... he's going to Moscow.  Couldn't find a decent footy project so he went for the money it seems. I do understand that 3,5 mil euros net per season for 3 years is hard to pass up. In France, that's about 8,75 mil gross. A lot of money.

His NT career is probably over though with Ribery back and Griezmann coming up fast.

Such a shame.  I've learned to really love him.

A pity, then, I would have liked to see him in the PL.

Can't Newcastle afford him? Or does MA see no re-sell value in him

Would've been a good signing on top of another striker in my opinion if they can afford it.

That wage is big problem, two third of Italian club cant afford that. He's a bull btw for such small physique