I agree that the contract matters the most

but when you have a player that is in demand - like most good players will be - connections can tilt the deal in your favour.

Do you think Everton would have signed Deulofeu at a cheap price if Martinez wasn't Catalan and had influential connections at Barcelona? Do you think Swansea would have signed Michu for 2m if Laudrup didn't have connections at Getafe? Or Southampton getting Alderweireld if Koeman wasn't a Dutch legend and was his former manager? Palace signing Cabaye, Leicester getting Inler... these are deals that happened for reasons other than money and location.

We've managed to sign Dorrans who is probably the highest profile player that Neil has connections with. He chose us over Burnley, probably in part because of that link.

Posted By: Mecagoenti, Sep 2, 11:31:10