ryu.yokoi

If thats how the release clause was written. you could alternatively set it up so the selling club could have first option to match new wages, or for that clause to become activated once a player triggers via performance, or if this speculation is right, you could set it up so that the selling club has to sell once the clause is triggered but can choose amongst the bidders (for example, they might do that to protect from losing a player to a competitor). Contracts are all negotiated individually and anyone claiming to know whats written into kiyotake's is being just as itk as the twitter peeps everyone here is bashing. (I am not claiming to know either, but can imagine ways that a selling club be able to sell above an exit clause depending how its written from when fcn first brought him over). The only thing we know so far is that there was an enquiry and various media sources have speculated offers and clauses that could be paper talk. That nothing hasnt happened immediately could mean its all rubbish or that negotiations are taking a while, both being scenarios that happen all the time.

This interesting part, do you think it makes the story more likely or unlikely? Or does it not make a difference? I would think more likely if a media source independent of what weve been reading is reporting. Everyone is talking like there is only one way to structure a release clause. Depending who is writing the contract it could be set up a number of ways. Think of every contract negotiation youve ever been involved with (not necesarily sports related), you fight for every word because they matter. We have no idea if a release clause is written (though kiyotake's lawyers will have been dumb not to pursue one given his fee coming to fcn was low), but if it exists we dont know how it written either. Unless you are arguing fifa only allows one treatment of the release clause, but ive heard of variations before (time requirements, favoriticism to particular teams, etc) that makes me think there is likely some flexibility.

Could just be paper talk, but the Japanese Sports daily Sankei Sports (known as Sanspo) is reporting on 7/6 that Villa, having had an offer rejected at 1.1 Billion Yen (7.5MM Pounds), has returned to Nuremberg with a new bid at 1.3 Billion Yen (8.5 MM Pounds). What I find interesting is that: 1) They had previously reported the initial inquiry a few days ago, and this was a fresh story they just put on the wire. 2) They are attributing the story to their print edition rather than to European papers or nebulous websites. No discussion of Nuremberg's reaction to the alleged new bid is noted. Latest story on reupped offer: http://www.sanspo.com/soccer/news/20130706/bun13070605030000-n1.html Story on the initial offer being rejected: http://www.sanspo.com/soccer/news/20130704/bun13070405030001-n1.html Also, I think any reports saying we'll see Hiroshi at Bodymoor anytime soon are prob rubbish - according to his verified twitter account (13_hiroshi), he just participated in a charity event organized by United's Shinji Kagawa, and his official blog has him doing a promotional event for the Japanese FMCG firm Asahi on Monday, so it looks like he is in Japan this week. It might be worthwhile keeping tracking of the Tokyo sports dailies in the coming days... Expect the worst, hope for the best.

Bummer that this hasn't worked out. Would love to see this kid in claret and blue.

I think maybe its just a matter of being drastic as a means to put people off. No I think it is a misunderstanding of what that translation is saying. It says we were prepared to offer 10m euros but not even (this offer of adding) another 10m (to their coffers) would temp them to sell as they have already sold players this month and it is difficult to find quality replacements as Dortmund are finding out. The story doesn't actually mention 20m anywhere. this.

Ryu, digressing a bit here, are you Japanese American? japanese colombian american. cant read japanese (i used to translate a lot of spanish language paper talk here a long time ago...), so i asked my pop to translate the original yomiuri (tokyo newspaper) story from the first post in this thread and he said its as been stated here - that we made an enquiry but were shot down (atleast initially). this last anecdote intended to keep tread on topic while answering digressing question.

(warning: about to speculate) This must really come down to a question of interest. Its unlikely Kiyotake is on BPL level wages in the Bundesliga (its why most of their clubs are in the black) so he will have been crazy to sign a deal without a reasonable exit clause, particularly as NFC probably didnt pay a big fee for him to begin with (they dont appear to have ever sold a player for more than we paud fir Benteke). So we could likely trigger an exit clause without breaking the bank and NFC would need to decide if they prefer to renegotiate a new deal w the player to raise the clause but theyd have to be up for the wages. My hope is that there is an exit clause and realizing they are going to lose the player either way, NFC is publicizing the interest hoping multiple clubs will breach the clause and they can sell to highest bidder amongst them. So if Villa really want him they could prob make something happen, but this may just be an inquiry amongst various players they like.

I agree with that logic and might I say it's good to see you back and more regular Ryu. It's been too long! Thanks B. I get lazy sometimes just following what you ,John and others post on FB most of the time!

No one knew Benteke would have the kind of debut he had for us last year when we signed him - he'd only just broken into the full Belgian side, but he was full of promise. Kiyotake would come from a bit of a more competitive league and has starred at the Olympics (to whatever extent you value international competitions), but similarly is just a prospect at this point in his career. Kiyotake might be a bit more strategic to our kit sponsor and our mktg efforts - but even in those cases, its an investment you make knowing an explosion in merchandising/tourism/interest in Japan is likely dependent on him delivering at Villa. So risk in terms of fee will prob be a touch higher, and the potential reward likewise. We should be clear that Kiyotake is known in Japan, but this isn't the kit sale bonanza you'd expect from Kagawa or Honda...yet because those guys were trailblazers and today half the Japanese squad plays in Germany so the novelty isn't the same. I think its an apt comparison to Benteke. I think what matters is that if you place the bet you put it on the right position on the field and it looks like here we would be doing that.

More like: Kee-yo-tah-keh =)

Kagawa and Honda started ahead of him in the confed cup. He came on in the second half of the Brasil game as they tried to play with three creative midfielders to shake things up. He was terrific last year at the Olympics (Kagawa not present) where he really put the team on his back and took them the farthest I can remember a Japanese side going in a major international competition. If you want to see him across a 90m for Japan, the Japan-Iraq qualifier is up on Youtube in its entirety. BTW - I think this is precisely why Villa might be attractive to him. Exposure playing in the prem could help him form argument that his presence merits changing formation for the Japan MNT so that he can get more time in Brasil. In a side with two creative midfielders, its tough for anyone to displace the country's two national heroes, unless you become one yourself.

Can't see it going over 10MM Euro (on the high side) given he's only just started to blossom in the Bundesliga. That said, you aren't getting someone like Kagawa (won a title at Dortmund) or Honda (has played CL and EL for years in Russia) with lots of experience before coming to the PL. That's why I think Its a nice fit, as Kiyotake is a promising young talent that's shown ability but is just breaking through, cost won't be too high, he's shown he can play in a tough league (and in youth international comp), but wont be too expensive. It will be very attractive for him to come to the prem too if he can as Kagawa, Honda and Inui (great winger at Frankfurt) make it hard for him to get in the Japanese XI when all are fit, and Prem experience would strengthen his case for playing time next Summer too. That said, I wouldn't expect the big tourist bump in Brum or a bunch of kit sales just yet...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAjD2_Z7tHM Here is a highlight reel of his play in Germany.

amazing. this would be neat.

Albrighton and Clark have had some great moments too. I am hopeful each can shine in some future.

Ryu ? yes? Are you Ken ? No, but i see what you did there!

would lose my mind if we pulled this off, but find it hard to imagine someone who can offer CL somewhere nicking him. kiyotake is very skilled and tidy on the ball, but honda has huge self confidence and plays up for big games. particularly like his skill with a defender at his back, he's tough to disposses and as good as he is at taking a free kick he can draw them as well... while discussing japanese players frankfurts inui is very fun to watch though a more pure winger.

Ryu ? yes?

What kind of math is that TSV? 16/41 = 39%. Thought he was fine today, but just lost the plot on that play. NRC played the best game of his season (maybe a couple) - so its tough to use this game as the comparison point between them. On the balance, still think he was a great signing.

Very impressive today - opened play nicely on the break too.

What she said...

Not at all Slowandlow - I thought Milner was crucial in keeping the score sheet today, covering back for Luke Young on several occasions, and kicking off counter attacks. Looked to be the only member of our team not completely knackered at matches end. But to each his own.

Frustrating game (made worse by the annoying comms we were served here Stateside - was that the comedian from Parklife doing color?). Friedel - 10 - Saved everything and was under constant pressure. Cuellar - 6 - Eh. Needed a lot of help from Young that limited our ability to attack. Dunne - 9 - Beast. Some really timely challenges today. Collins - 6 - Solid, but should really clear the ball more cleanly... Young - 6 - No major mistakes, but never a threat coming up either. Downing - 5 - Never beat his man all day. Has a great cross, could have done more to keep possession today. Weak deadball play - an area which should be our strength. Petrov - 5 - Very very quiet day for the Bulgarian. Modric seemed to have oceans all day to play as he wished... Milner - 8 - Immense. Plays everywhere on the pitch. Was let down by teammates on some counters he created. Young - 4 - A non factor. We need Ashley to be effective to win these kinds of games. Poor finishing on two counters and a subpar free kick. Gabby - 4 - Forced what I thought was a clear handball early on, but then didn't do much the rest of the way. Everything he hit was straight at Gomez, and on two or three occasions he tried to help the defense but ended up giving Spurs possession in very dangerous spots. Carew - 4 - Doesn't look match fit. Had two opps in front of goal that a healthy Carew buries - instead he hit them with a bizarre nonchalance that was very dissappointing. Was put in a tough spot by the amount of route 1 we played today... Bottom line: We are a counterattacking team that is built to win by leveraging our pace on the counter attack and skill/size in deadball situations. Despite a very conservative gameplan, we had plenty of counter opps and some dangerous free kick spots, and just failed to capitalize. Defense did their job.

Glad I'm not the only one! Just plain terrible. I know the purpose at this point is about fitness, but christ, Sidwell has no business on a football pitch! More frustrating to me was not being able to get excited to see one of new reinforcements debuting (that's what this tournie is about for most of the other sides) because we don't have any....

TSV - Has the club given an idea what the hotel + tix + tour portion of the deal is gonna look like? Just saw the Birmingham flight boarding at Newark the other day and gave me an itch!