re: Isco- the EPL has come knocking

Andy Carroll was horrible business on LFC's end. Says nothing about the value of an English player though. Liverpool fricked themselves by selling Torres on transfer day.

It certainly does seem that way although the rest of the season will be interesting. Rafa hasn't changed a whole lot about the squad beside defensive rigidity and playing Luiz at holding mid. One thing is for sure, Torres has some confidence now and that can be directly attributed to Rafa.

Marketability and a "known" impact on the league are certainly a couple good reasons. There are more though. Media relations (especially when considering the Suarez and Terry cases) and language barrier can't be understated. England also has tons of money and, in many cases, players are exchanged between "rivals." Extra compensation makes sense when you consider the impact the sale will continue to have on the seller beyond strictly money brought in. Theoretically, you are making someone else in the league stronger. That leads to increased revenue for that club, PR, success, etc. Then obviously the homegrown rule, fitting the "style" of the league, nurturing the country's own talent, "loyalty", not getting homesick, and many other things also play a factor.

So all in all, a few extra million pounds makes perfect sense. Hindsight determines whether it is "ridiculous" or not.

Also, the Carroll deal made sense in a lot of ways. Obviously it was bad business though. Not much else can be said.

he´s only a baby, 19, maybe 20, and has TONS of top flight international experience.

I don´t see him leaving for anything less than €30M, and I´d venture to say he´s a Javi Martínez type acquisition, you can build a squad around him. €30M may be too low.