Topic: How much have we spent?

[DanA]

Regardless of what our net spend is I am wrapped with the business we've managed to get done. But with Rory Smith's article http://www.thisisanfield.com/2011/09/reds-reduce-wage-bill-by-30m I think it is something we could discuss. I think he's made a few incorrect assumptions.

He wrote: "High-earning players such as Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic (both reportedly on £90k per week), Alberto Aquilani and Christian Poulsen have been sold or loaned out."

I think this is misleading as I don't think we were able to offload their wages entirely. In Cole's case estimates seem to be Lille are paying only 30k of it. He is also claiming 15m for Meireles which I suspect is the Euro price.


Here are my estimates (which require a hell of a lot of guess work)

In:
Downing 20m
Henderson 13m rising to 16m
Coatez 7.8m
Adam 7m
Enrique 6m
Spend = 53.8m rising to 56.8m

Wages In:
Downing: 75k
Adam: 40k
Coates: 40k
Enrique: 65k
Bellamy: 50k
Doni: 25k
Henderson: 40k
335k or 17.4m per year


Out:
Meireles 12m
Ngog 4m
Kyrgiakos 2m
Konchesky 1.5m
Ayala 0.8m
Mavinga 1m
Recoup = 21.3

Wages Out:
Aquilani: - 80k
Jovanovic: - 50k
Poulsen: - 40k
Cole: -30K
Meireles: -30k
Ngog: - 30k
Konchesky: -30k
Kyrgiakos: -25k
Pacheco: -20k
Insua: - 20k
El Zhar: -10k
Ayala: -5k
Mavinga -5k
The rest: 20k
395k or 20.5m per year

And if you include the potential Aquilani fee along with our January dealings it's even less. I think NESV have done a shrewd bit of business. We've gotten players that really wanted to play for us, of a very high quality for a very modest amount of money. Because of this I think there is still room for us to spend heavily in January and next summer if needed.

[Matts]

Why would LFC and Chelsea be negotiating using Euros? I don't think we need to spend heavily. I'm certainly of the opinion that our spending was by enlarge aided by the sale of Torres. The 50 mil paid for Suarez so I'm guessing the 20 odd mil that was available in January was transferred to the summer kitty. FSG have stated that we are going to spend what the club makes, so I'm not anticipating any major purchases in January. Hopefully in the summer theres another 30 odd mil to spend, we have strengthened our squad now, so by the summer I hope all we have to do is adding one or two players to augment what we have at the moment.

[Kochevnik]

Appreciate you doing the maths on that, DanA.  It's quite fascinating to read that, as anyone watching Sky Sports for the past month or two would swear that we've been up there with City in our spending so far under FSG.

In truth, I think we spent less than 2 million in January (net), and from those figures we've spent 32.5-35.5 million this summer.  Not a pauper's spending, by any means, but nowhere near what we've been rumoured to have spent.  And the wage bill has actually gone down!

I've said this a few times already this window, and I'll say it again - Damien Comolli is a genius.  And Kenny too.  Our team is twice as strong, in depth and quality, as it was before FSG took over, and we've barely spent anything to get it there.  Henry must be delighted.

[exiledintheUSA]

Not enough, our net spend is too low, the owners lied to us, wah, wah, wah, wah,wah.


What a summer and what fantastic work by JH, DC and KD.

We're coming up the hill boys.

[OrangeMochaFraps]

Certainly a summer to inspire optimism.

[withgreataplomb]

Looking at the amount of money that's gonna be saved, just be shifting the deadwood is unbelievable.

[DanA]

Looking at the amount of money that's gonna be saved, just be shifting the deadwood is unbelievable.

In 2 years time once the surplus wages are completely gone it will be even more too.

The rumours about Hazard are exciting. Taking a big leap but it seems we weren't getting decent offers for Cole and decided to make the most of it and leveraged him to get first option on Hazard. Talk about turning Lemons into Lemonade.

[nocturnalvin]

In 2 years time once the surplus wages are completely gone it will be even more too.

The rumours about Hazard are exciting. Taking a big leap but it seems we weren't getting decent offers for Cole and decided to make the most of it and leveraged him to get first option on Hazard. Talk about turning Lemons into Lemonade.

There was link to Hazard ? 

[Filler.]

Kyrgiakos 2m !?

Grauniad saying Bellamy is keeping his £95k a week deal.

[freedom]

Certainly a summer to inspire optimism.

[DanA]

There was link to Hazard ? 

Rumoured to be first option

Kyrgiakos 2m !?

Grauniad saying Bellamy is keeping his £95k a week deal.

2m is what I've read but could be wrong

I'm sure City are some of Bellamy's wages. Just as we're paying most of Cole's

[Niru Red4ever]

Rumoured to be first option

2m is what I've read but could be wrong

I'm sure City are some of Bellamy's wages. Just as we're paying most of Cole's

But didn't Bellamy have only 1 yr left at City? Anyways, I am sure he is not being paid 95k a week over here.

Also, counting Aquilani's wages in out may not be correct; as Juve was footing his entire bill last year. Also, is Aqua's deal a loan with an option to buy? I mean can he be sent back if Milan wishes? Kind of makes me we had accepted the Juve bid earlier in the summer.

Ngog's deal is bound to have some healthy add-ons attached to it.

[No666]

Quite sure Bellamy wanted a pay-off from City which would make up the difference between what we're paying him and what he was used to earning.

[Grobbelrevell]

Quite sure Bellamy wanted a pay-off from City which would make up the difference between what we're paying him and what he was used to earning.

That's how I understood it as well.

In terms of our business in the transfer window in general, I would have preferred to have retained one of Aquilani or Meireles to be honest, but that aside, the last two transfer windows have been nothing short of fantastic.

We've addressed every area that required attention and have managed to offload all of the deadwood (which is often the harder of the two).

No complaints from me. Roll on Stoke away...

[CraigDS]

Can't be right, Meireles was on a pack of wine gums and a half penny a week wasn't he?

I'd guess weve shaved a few million a year off the wage bill whilst swapping the dead wood for quality squad players - that's great business.

[maqu006]

We got 750k for Kygriakos. Bellamy is on 50k with us.

[Beav]

In 2 years time once the surplus wages are completely gone it will be even more too.

The rumours about Hazard are exciting. Taking a big leap but it seems we weren't getting decent offers for Cole and decided to make the most of it and leveraged him to get first option on Hazard. Talk about turning Lemons into Lemonade.

Lemons into lemonade? We could potentially turn a mound of fat into champagne!

DC deserves a medal if he pulls that off.

[Neil D]

Looks like good business...

[Hymer Red]

Not having a go at the OP as its interesting to see the figures but we should remember that the only people who need to "worry" about the spending figures are the owners who have to find the cash. Personally I dont care how much any player costs or how much his wages are as I dont have to find the money. If the owners pockets are deep enough and they feel a certain player is required its up to them how much they want to spend and no need for us to worry about the cost. As long as the squad is good enough to compete FSG can spend what they like 

[ttnbd]

why do people always insist on trying to work all this out? Just admit that you have no idea what was spent and move on by debating whether the squad is better now than before. If it is then it is largely irrelevant how much was spent. The accounts will show a fuller picture next year

[PJG]

Are you sure Downing's on 75k?

[AK20]

great business

[Zlen]

We talk too much about spending and wages.
Legacy of those dark days I guess.

[koppitekop11]

To criticise Rory Smith's article and say hes made a few incorrect assumptions, only to then come up with this "guess work" is a little hypocritical dont you think? Your basically doing the exact same as him   

Out of curiosity how have you got Jovanovic's wages down to 50k? 

[Niru Red4ever]

Not having a go at the OP as its interesting to see the figures but we should remember that the only people who need to "worry" about the spending figures are the owners who have to find the cash. Personally I dont care how much any player costs or how much his wages are as I dont have to find the money. If the owners pockets are deep enough and they feel a certain player is required its up to them how much they want to spend and no need for us to worry about the cost. As long as the squad is good enough to compete FSG can spend what they like 

It gives us something fun to talk about during the international break, and also refute whatever garbage spouted by our rival friends brainwashed by Sky. Hell, even a fellow LFC supporter with whom I watch footy thought that Henderson was 20mp.

[Twelfth Man]

Not having a go at the OP as its interesting to see the figures but we should remember that the only people who need to "worry" about the spending figures are the owners who have to find the cash. Personally I dont care how much any player costs or how much his wages are as I dont have to find the money. If the owners pockets are deep enough and they feel a certain player is required its up to them how much they want to spend and no need for us to worry about the cost. As long as the squad is good enough to compete FSG can spend what they like 

Good point! I was talking about net spending to my mate at work and he accused me of sounding like an accountant and not a fan! I pointed out that the game is mainly business now. I concede he was right though in his observation.

[Hymer Red]

Good point! I was talking about net spending to my mate at work and he accused me of sounding like an accountant and not a fan! I pointed out that the game is mainly business now. I concede he was right though in his observation.

I felt the need for a qualification in accountancy when trying to defend Rafa to those that couldnt see but now I just dont care. As far as I can see we are in safe hands from the owners to the management team and players. Confident we are on the way up! 

[west_london_red]

If thats the kind of business we are doing without being in the CL, just imagine what we can do next year if we get 4th spot....

[Alan_X]

why do people always insist on trying to work all this out? Just admit that you have no idea what was spent and move on by debating whether the squad is better now than before. If it is then it is largely irrelevant how much was spent. The accounts will show a fuller picture next year

Exactly.

[Red Beret]

I think the important thing to remember is that, with the debt removed from the club, we have spent well within our means this summer and strengthened the squad massively.

As our commercial deals continue to kick in and we continue to increase revenue, the amount available to spend on players will increase.  It's really just a question of how the stadium costs will affect future outlay but if we can get the major squad building work done now then a major headache is removed.

[Acaustiq]

Because of this I think there is still room for us to spend heavily in January and next summer if needed.

Bet you there isn't, just as in January the books are balanced, which is obviously the way they want it.

We can argue they've turned into shit into gold, that the much vaunted clear out has actually happened, but be under no illusions that (in particular) the fees received yesterday have already been spent, they've not gone into a bucket marked 'Hazard'.

[LiamG]

Its set us up perfectly for the future aswell, a younger squad with a lower wage bill, If we get back in the champions league weve got a brilliant foundation to work on

[silver 5 star]

Its set us up perfectly for the future aswell, a younger squad with a lower wage bill, If we get back in the champions league weve got a brilliant foundation to work on

Commoli has done well since January, Fenway have not let us down, Henry and Werner seem clever and decent men.

Would not have believed any of this 18 months ago.

[DanA]

The question was raised a few times so I thought it was worth looking at. The intention was to give us a rough outline of where we stand financially because irresponsible spending can really hurt a club. I don't want to go back to the days of H & G and I think it's worth monitoring. Beyond it being further evidence of us moving in the right direction and a pat on the back for Commolli, Kenny and the owners I don't think it has much value.

Bet you there isn't, just as in January the books are balanced, which is obviously the way they want it.

We can argue they've turned into shit into gold, that the much vaunted clear out has actually happened, but be under no illusions that (in particular) the fees received yesterday have already been spent, they've not gone into a bucket marked 'Hazard'.

I don't think we could have got Hazard but if it's true we've got first option on him the we've done the next best thing.

[shelovesyou]

The question was raised a few times so I thought it was worth looking at. The intention was to give us a rough outline of where we stand financially because irresponsible spending can really hurt a club. I don't want to go back to the days of H & G and I think it's worth monitoring. Beyond it being further evidence of us moving in the right direction and a pat on the back for Commolli, Kenny and the owners I don't think it has much value.

I don't think we could have got Hazard but if it's true we've got first option on him the we've done the next best thing.

We haven't mate.

[Kennys from heaven]

Who cares?

[Neil D]

To criticise Rory Smith's article and say hes made a few incorrect assumptions, only to then come up with this "guess work" is a little hypocritical dont you think? Your basically doing the exact same as him   

Out of curiosity how have you got Jovanovic's wages down to 50k? 

Come off it, hardly harsh criticism was it.

why do people always insist on trying to work all this out? Just admit that you have no idea what was spent and move on by debating whether the squad is better now than before. If it is then it is largely irrelevant how much was spent. The accounts will show a fuller picture next year

It's just a chat, like any thread on this forum, if you're not interested you can go somewhere else mate!

[HiroProtagonist]

Credit where credit's due, they've been fantastic. Not afraid to spend. And we've managed to get rid of ALL our deadwood. Pretty astonishing really. And that's not even including January.

[incredibleL4ever]

Good job by Kenny, Comoli, Henry & Werner.  Comoli's comments about how "brave" the owners were to buy first and sell later is very true, especially as they have never been through a summer transfer window before.  Now its up to the guys on the pitch to make it happen.

[joe ®]

'First option' in the case of Hazard would be effectively worthless though wouldn't it? Would basically be the Lille chairman ringing us to say Madrid or someone had bid £35m and £150k a week and the player was dead set on going there. Then even if we matched or improved the offer he'd just turn us down for Madrid or whoever anyway.