I don't know why everyone gets so hot under the collar about a 'transfer request'? All it is is putting the intention to leave in writing, something he had probably done verbally prior to then. What's the big drama? He would like to play for Barcelona, I think just about every player out there would like to do that so it's hardly a surprise. I'm not sure he will owe Jürgen this big apology. The real trick will be how he acts if and when he is told he is definitely staying at the club, the final week of the transfer window will be the real test of his quality.
On TAW this morning they said when he signed his new contract without a release clause every thing was good but all parties figured at some point he might want to go there as Barca has been sniffing him for a couple of years. Phil was OK without a release clause as he figured he owed the club for what it had done for him.
Barca approached again at the beginning of Summer and Phil with his agent had an inkling that he would go next Summer...again management and the manager were OK if that is what he really wanted to do and that was that.
When they lost Neymar they came back again and Phil/Agent went back to the club and said they want me now to which the response was OK a month ago every thing was fine..now you want to go?...No way we don't have time to get anybody in so you are staying. (This is when Jürgen came out saying he's not going anywhere) After the 2nd bid came in Klopp said no again and FSG came out with the statement which apparently triggered Barca to tell Phil "It's now or never" at which time the transfer request was sent in and immediately rejected.
Barca also have several players such as Dembele and another (I can't remember the name) that they told it was now or never submit a request.
Evidently they never ever thought they would lose Neymar to PSG and before that deal did not even have any cash to do any kind of major transfer...now that they have cash they are trying to optimize it with low ball bids to both us and Dortmund in an attempt to land both players and another for the money they got from Neymar.
Now Barca is in a panic and scrambling.
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