Mcleish - Slams Rumours of Darren Bent Sale

[Vanilla]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Aston-Villa-manager-Alex-McLeish-slams-rumours-of-Darren-Bent-sale-article828178.html

Not that I want to trend a negative, but the manager did say something similar about Downing.

However, if we have to sell to buy, and we are still deficient in a number of areas, should this be considered?

[The Laughing Policeman]

It just ain't going to happen. And even if it was contemplated I think it'd take something like the Carroll fee to prise him away.

[cdbearsfan]

I wouldn't even consider less than £50 million.

[Vanilla]

Valid figures, but if we had to raise funds to start fully rebuilding the team, then should we consider it?

[Brian Taylor]

McL said only last week about the need to reduce the wage bill further. Bent ain't on buttons?
There are others I'd prefer to go first, but £50m would be extremely difficult for Randy to resist.

[UsualSuspect]

i really rate Bent and want us to keep hold of him but if he left us who would he go to?

The only team I could think of maybe Arsenal but I couldn't see Wenger stumping up the cash

[Mazrim]

Not under any circumstances. It would be the last straw for any remaining floating supporters and something like commercial (and footballing) suicide second only to selling Gabby.

We dont need to rebuild the team as such, just replace a few spare parts (defence mostly) and bring the youth through.

[darren woolley]

He wont leave it's just paper talk I think we will keep him thank you.

[Concrete John]

McL said only last week about the need to reduce the wage bill further. Bent ain't on buttons?
There are others I'd prefer to go first, but £50m would be extremely difficult for Randy to resist.

By next summer Heskey, Beye and Cuellar will be out of contract, which pretty much acheives the wages reduction without the need to sell anyone.  Although I can see Ireland be flogged aswell.

[nigel]

Regarding Downing, I think you'll find he was as good as gone when AMcL took over.
It was probably too far down the line to change his mind.
Don't think DB will go, he's begining to form a partnership with Gabby and I don't think Randy would sell, there's only so much cost cutting you can do.
If they want to make some money, rename the Witton Lane Stand.

[nigel]

Not under any circumstances. It would be the last straw for any remaining floating supporters and something like commercial (and footballing) suicide second only to selling Gabby.

We dont need to rebuild the team as such, just replace a few spare parts (defence mostly) and bring the youth through.

Agree

[Vanilla]

Not under any circumstances. It would be the last straw for any remaining floating supporters and something like commercial (and footballing) suicide second only to selling Gabby.

We dont need to rebuild the team as such, just replace a few spare parts (defence mostly) and bring the youth through.

Agree

We did hear that in the summer though: Bring in N'Zogbia, and develop Albrighton and Delph etc - job done.

But none of which has worked at the moment.

[TaxDodger]

Valid figures, but if we had to raise funds to start fully rebuilding the team, then should we consider it?

No. I'd rather cut my own face off.

[CJ]

I could understand if Bent was less than happy having come to us with the prospect of service from Young and Downing and then losing that in the summer. If his goals dried up as a consequence he'd be worried about his England prospects, but he's still in Capello's squad this week. At the minute I'd not sell him under any circumstances or at any price. His goals could be the difference between us staying up or going down, and to sell him in January would be tantamount to commercial and footballing suicide.

If we need to trim the wages further there are others who could go before Bent - Beye, Ireland, Carlos (reluctantly), Heskey for example. My worry is McLeish might sell Bent and then renew Heskey's contract - and that would seriously test my loyalty for a ST next year.

[UK Redsox]

He wont leave it's just paper talk I think we will keep him thank you.

We have to accept that when a middling Premier League club have an excellent player, the press are going to be looking for stories regarding interest from other teams.

Tis just the way of things.