***Offical Summer Transfer Thread*** - Page 28

silentbob · #**271** 06-29-2007, 02:34 PM

Any credible reports out there about who Arsenal may purchase with the Henry transfer proceeds? I think they would actually be better off getting a top defender instead of a forward.

KJS · #**272** 06-29-2007, 02:50 PM

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I don't know, why don't you ask Roman Abramovich? (ex-KGB suddenly becomes billionaire in his mid 30s).

Sorry, but i was kind of waiting for a response like this. The fact is Thaksin is currently accused of corruption by an unelected government unrecognised by the rest of the world. As a diehard City fan I've done a bit of reading up on the guy which mostly suggests he is a shrewd businessman (although his early businesses failed before he became extremely wealthy) but due to the culture in Asia it is impossible to be successful in business or politics without some level of corruption.

I had a long discusion with a friend last night on this very topic and my conclusion is that as a success starved "big" club the vast majority of fans do not care where the money comes from. This is not to say there is no morality line drawn at all costs, but considering what Thaksin is accused of (by the non elected Government which forcibly deposed him and as far as I know has persecuted many of his supporters) I would much prefer him as owner/chairman compared to such dangerous liars as George Bush or Tony Blair for example.

But enough of the politics, even though "Frank", as in Frank Sinatra (as he has been christened and apparently accepts the name in good humour) will now financially "own" the club he will never truly own the club despite the obvious changes for the good he will bring with his vast wealth. The fact is the fans will always hold "true" ownership with varying levels of influence and even if he eventually did screw City financially the club will not die out. The history and feelings etc. passed down through generations are immense, I don't know if it is unique to English football but the power of the local fanbase should never be underestimated.

Like I say I don't know too much about Frank but he seems to be very smart from what I've seen (http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/c...m=1&bbwm=1), that link may not work outside UK.

Personally I'm not worried. He is purchasing the club using money held in English banks (plenty more than needed for the transaction) which cannot be touched by the Thai "government" and all of his actions so far indicate he has conducted his operations during the takeover deal in a professional manner and with the help of some extremely capable English finanace houses.

I for one am very optimistic for next season.

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A couple thoughts:

I was singling him out, yes, but not saying he is the only person doing this. I think Abramovich is too, possibly others. Taking dirty funds and putting them in a legit business, one that can sell for an enormous profit, is a great thing for people with a ton of dirty money. I was making a general statement about the possibility that this is becoming widespread (EPL and elsewhere) by using Thaksin as an example.

Second, I used to be a journalist in Thailand. (Look for stories by Kevin R. Manning on www.irrawaddy.org). That guy is as dirty as they come. I could write 1000 words detailing his drug war that left thousands dead and a myriad of other abuses. All this stuff is out there to find. Look at Human Right Watch Asia, Amnesty International, The Economist, Far Eastern Economic Review, etc.. What kind of a leader sells his company to a foreign company, thus depriving his fellow citizens millions of dollars in tax benefits? This in a very poor country. The government there might not be legitimate (but barely less so than his since he bought his elections like they always do) but nothing they are saying is new. It is just things everyone has known for a long time but afraid to say until he was gone.

Did you know he got his Phd from Sam Houston State University in Texas in Criminal Justice? A real bastion of intellectuals that is. I have read his dissertation. It is a total joke.

Maybe City can buy some legit goalscorers now. They were awful in front of the net last year.

KJS

KJS · #**273** 06-29-2007, 02:52 PM

Did Chelsea get Alex? I can't find confirmation on their site, BBC or ESPN.

KJS

KDawg · #**274** 06-29-2007, 03:37 PM

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ugh. I wanted manu to get Torres so bad. I hate when i have to hate a player that i liked. this sucks.

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this is true, but now it's sounding like we might land tevez, and I'm definitely cool with that

KDawg · #**275** 06-29-2007, 03:41 PM

Shinawatra may not win man of the year, but let's be honest, he can't be any worse then the Gaydamek family that bought up Portsmouth. Almost any non-western businessman that buys up a english club is likely to have some sort of dirt on his hands for something

Chairman Wood · #**276** 06-29-2007, 04:29 PM

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Did you know he got his Phd from Sam Houston State University in Texas in Criminal Justice? A real bastion of intellectuals that is. I have read his dissertation. It is a total joke.

[/ QUOTE ] HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA One of my best friends,poker player, and big football fan has a Criminal Justice degree from there.

KJS · #**277** 06-29-2007, 04:57 PM

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Shinawatra may not win man of the year, but let's be honest, he can't be any worse then the Gaydamek family that bought up Portsmouth. Almost any non-western businessman that buys up a english club is likely to have some sort of dirt on his hands for something

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Totally agree. I was serious when I asked if football clubs were becoming a popular spot to launder money. Not just because of Thaksin alone. It just seemed like a good time to bring up a question that I have had for a long time.

KJS

Pontuan21 · #**278** 06-29-2007, 05:10 PM

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Did Chelsea get Alex? I can't find confirmation on their site, BBC or ESPN.

KJS

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I think Chelsea bought Alex earlier this year. Link (rickroll)

mosdef · #**279** 06-29-2007, 05:20 PM

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Did Chelsea get Alex? I can't find confirmation on their site, BBC or ESPN.

KJS

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I think Chelsea bought Alex earlier this year. Link (rickroll)

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Alex has been Chelsea's player for years. He's been on loan at PSV since 2005.

Fletcher19 · #**280** 06-30-2007, 09:29 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...pe/6239286.stm

Torres is a very good signing for liverpool IMO even for all that money. I dont watch much of la liga so i am not sure but is he considered to be better than eto? not as good? equal?

Also looks like benitez is eyeing heinze who i believe would fit in incredibly well at liverpool but it's obviously going to be difficult to prize him away from utd.