Karim El Ahmadi CONFIRMED (Reply #278)

[Dave]

Once it starts to become a real thing, it comes out of the transfer thread and into one of its own. So here we go:

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is homing in on Feyenoord midfielder Karim El Ahmadi to become his first signing.

The 27-year-old Netherlands-born Moroccan international has been with Feyenoord since signing from home town club Twente Enschede in 2008.

But new Villa manager Lambert is now keen to bring him over to England.

"We're in talks at this moment, those talks are ongoing and we hope to reach a positive conclusion with Feyenoord and the player," said Lambert.

"Karim is a player who I feel could definitely improve our squad.

"He has experience of big club football and also at international level.

"He can pass the ball well and he could be an important player for us in central midfield. Let's see how things progress. We're very hopeful."

Assuming the PR side of things is staying as it has for the last 5 years or so, the fact that we're talking openly about him presumably means it's done and dusted. So welcome Karim. Hopefully you are more Petrov, rather than Berson.

[Ad@m]

Can I be the first misery arse to say "In the shirt, on the pitch"!

[NeilH]

De Telegraaf are saying that he's already here and in discussion with us. Feyenoord are desperate to keep him.

[Mr Diggles]

Neil, what kind of player is he?

[NeilH]

Neil, what kind of player is he?

He would fill the roll that Barry vacated as his in the same mould as fat arse. I spoke earlier to the father of my son's best friend, who's a huge feyenoord fan and he's gutted about it. He puts much of the turnaround in their fortunes down to his contribution.

[Nii Lamptey]

Looks pretty good....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhX-5yAowC0

[N'ZMAV]

I've seen him. He is world class.

[JUAN PABLO]

El Ahmadi has revealed he is set to seal a 'dream' move.


I like that very much.

[martyn ellis]

From the clips he looks elegant, unhurried, strong in the tackle, non-wasteful in the pass, in charge; what's not to like? Granted that's just the clips and granted that it's a different league but hopefully PL is just the sort of manager to get the most out of him. As someone said, his name wouldn't have been on everyone's lips as our likely first signing so Lambert must have done some homework on him.

[eastie]

 Looks like a decent player and will no doubt bolster our midfield, looking better already with holman as well, anyone know if makoun will be coming back ?

[PaulWinch again]

Like I said I'm really Lambert has shown already that he's going to look abroad.

[TopDeck113]

El Ahmadi has revealed he is set to seal a 'dream' move.


I like that very much.

As much as I would like to think that he is bowled over at the prospect of moving to Villa Park, I somehow imagine that for anyone getting their snoz in the Premier League trough it is a "dream move" regardless of the shirt you end up wearing...

[villadelph]

El Ahmadi has revealed he is set to seal a 'dream' move.


I like that very much.

Because it's the Premier League, not the Villa..

He's going to do well for us. He is certainly not a goalscorer but he is a very hard worker and his stamina is very impressive. Karim is cool on the ball, likes to pass and move, and is excellent positionally. He is very disciplined and and keeps his composure very well.

[eastie]

Like I said I'm really Lambert has shown already that he's going to look abroad.

Having read lamberts autobiography hes a keen fan if european football and says he learnt a great deal from hitzfeld among others, also referred to several bust ups with mcleish in his book- no love lost there!

[not3bad]

Lambert is certainly moving away from the "MON junior" tag by signing a Morroccan from a Dutch team as his first Villa transfer.