The People's Forum: this happens even with the clubs you mentioned...

there were regular bulletins for days and weeks about the RS' pursuit of Wirtz, which apparently included bids £10m below the release clause in his contract.

The first day of pre-season is still a few weeks away, so there isn't the pressing need to get a deal done yesterday, and saving a half million here and there can come in handy later on: i remember Moyes saying we only signed John Stones as we had a bit of spare cash at the end of the window, and Coleman shows how far a little money can go.

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According to some media outlets, we supposedly have put in a bid for this player.
But even at this stage, it has the familiar feel of previous “dealings” we have had over the last few years.
Unlike clubs like City, Chelsea and RS who announce their deals AFTER they have signed the players, almost every outlet seems to know which players we are seriously after and the amount we have offered. This usually is less than the selling club is asking for the player.
Inevitably, another competitor steps in and we lose the deal.
I understand that West Ham are now after Barry.
If we have the reported sizeable transfer budget and Moyes has given the ok to buy the player, why not give Villarreal the release fee, rather than penny-pinch to get an extra few quid off the deal.