The big Forlan mystery - Solved?

Been thinking a lot about the whole Diego Forlan interest from ourselves.

Atletico completed (or are about to complete) a deal for Forlan for around £13 million this weekend.

Now my personal thoughts are that

a) Atletico were resigned to losing Fernando Torres to a major club this summer anyway
b) They had lined up Diego Forlan as his replacement.

Initially it looked like Atletico wouldn't talk Torres with us so all of a sudden it started emerging that we were 'interested' in Forlan. Even his agent had made some ruimblings about our interest.

All of a sudden Atletico start talking to us, and the Torres deal drags near completion.

Anybody else think this was some kind of sophisticated Rafa bluff.  Possibly making Atletico worry that not only eventually would take Torres off them, but also their planned replacement and leave them right up sh*t creek?

Does this degree of thoughtful skulduggery even go on? Or is this simply too far fetched?  If so - what was the interest in Diego Forlan all about?

PS. Anybody else type 'Forland' instead of 'Forlan' instinctively in to their computer?  :

Now you mention it, it makes perfect sense. I was very surprised we were linked with Forland and was questioning the judgment of it all, if it was for real. His Premiership record was there for all to see.

Your theory could well be very true! Is this a sign of things to come? Can Rafa pull these bluffs because he knows 'for sure' he has a power from good financial backing?

I don't get it...sorry.

This makes it sound like the conspiracies surrounding 9/11!

I think the simpler version may be about right.

A. Madrid had no-way of keeping Torres - 1. He wanted to go - 2. £27M is mega bucks

But they have a problem - the fans revolt.  And we know better than anyone about fans revolt - kept Gerrard here in truth.

SO:

They have to sign someone to fill Torres boots...so they get Forlan.  With Garcia going also, the fans have a Spanish and Uruguay international to fill Torre's boots.

They still won't be happy....but they can't do much about it.

I don't get it

Neither do I very often, girlfriend's usually too tired

I like this theory.  Very unusual that a player we 'were interested' in Atletico have signed (they did actually sign him  this weekend for £17 million I think!).

Could be right.  Atletico did only seem to start playing ball when they thought we might ditch Torres and go after Forlan.  If that interest had have been true and we had bought him, then Torres would probably have left Atletico also and they would have been stuffed.  Interesting stuff.

Of course - now they have 'bought' Forlan we could haggle a bit over Torres - they won't want to pay them both the big salaries... (only kidding - no more haggling - just frigging sign him).

I'm just thankful that we never signed Forlan.
Makes sense to me tho', Rafa playing his joker regarding Forlan.

Let's hope he's got some more cards hid up his sleeve.

JD, are you sure you're not Horatio from CSI Miami ?       Nice theory.

Nice theory JD! It makes perfect sense!

It's something you can imagine Rafa plotting in his little subtle way!

Neither do I very often, girlfriend's usually too tired

I've just started again!  If you're happy and you know it clap your hands... 

na rafa isnt that kind of guy.

na rafa isnt that kind of guy.

What do you mean Rafa isn't that kind of guy? Of course he is, he's the best master of mind games since, I hate to say it, Alex Ferguson.

I've just started again!  If you're happy and you know it clap your hands... 

How long haven't you been getting it for?!

Rafa's  a f*cking genius as far as i'm concerned, he has got an astute mind, and a tactical brain. Along with his no-nonsense attitude to players, this man could win us number 19.   

Rafa's  a f*cking genius as far as i'm concerned, he has got an astute mind, and a tactical brain. Along with his no-nonsense attitude to players, this man could win us number 19.   

He will win us number 19 as far as I'm concerned, Torres is a huge prospect.  Thinking of going in to Liverpool tomorrow.  Do you think they will have any numbers and letters for F.Torres 9? 

forlan isn't the replacement of torres in atletico de madrid. torres is irrepaceable.
besides forlan don't want be his substitute so forlan will wear another number of 9

He will win us number 19 as far as I'm concerned, Torres is a huge prospect.  Thinking of going in to Liverpool tomorrow.  Do you think they will have any numbers and letters for F.Torres 9? 

Court, this isn't you is it mate?