The VdV deal was happening around the time Nedved was contemplating retirement, but we didn't really see it through ourselves. Because if I remember, Secco shifted a lot of that focus on to Diego and Melo, coz we also were soon to be faced with a change of coach.
The RvP deal is different in many ways. There is a genuine need gap with the departure of Alex. The club has dedicated a certain amount of resources to plugging that gap in some way, and thatnwould make it pretty obvious that it would be filled by a big, marketable name. Especially when you consider, the club has genuinely karked out a plan for its resurgence, as seen in the scudetto winning season, somethting we didnt have for the last 6 years. RvP fits the profile, and off all the people we are linked with, comes within our budget as far as club valuation goes, his situation is the least stable of the others we are regularly linked with, Cavani, Higuain and Suarez. All of whom, are seemingly happy to stay where they are. His visit to Torino for a short period of time, before flying out to join his team for Euros are all signs that this is a mutually beneficial deal to both parties. He's 29, wants to win, wants a winning club. The fit is there. The only realistic obstacle could be his the settlement of his wage demands. We will break the bank with his wages, but to what extent remains the question. If we were wllin to pay Aguero 7.5m last season, and we have Ibra at 12m, then I don't see why somebody of this quality cannot expect at least 7-8m, coming from a more commercial league. Its an image thing, that wont hurt Juve either. Football is different from what it used to be when were on top in 06. Teams like ManCity, PsG,, Chelsea and even Malaga to a small extent, have changed the game since then. Will be a folly to think the club will get an a-grade superstar within such a salary cap.