Summer 2010 Transfer Thread: B*llsh*t, Rumours & Wishes

[Mister E]

Beckham crossing from deeper, with Neville overlapping to create the space and Giggs getting further forward, crossing from the byline.

I also think David Bentley with his head screwed on could give us the same balance.

Agreed - England have this challenge at the moment, with two very attack-minded full-backs; which is why Milner would be a perfect right-sided midfielder for them (ironically, I think Ashley Y would have complemented A Cole perfectly on the left).
Re Villa, this issue points right back to our right-back conundrum. LY was a perfect foil for JM on the right mid. With JM moved inside and Downing playing wide right, Cuellar becomes the RB of choice.
Not my solution but there you go.

[eastie]

i like bentley , i remember mon put a bid in for him at blackburn , would be a very good player if we could get the best from him.

[Ross]

I have a feeling Bentley has pissed on his chips as far as MON is concerned. I don't think he'l take kindly to being turned down before.

[Greg N'Ash]

Martin O'Neill wants Manchester City’s Martin Petrov to join fellow Bulgarian Stiliyan at Villa Park.

O’Neill hopes to get the international winger on a free transfer after he was released by Roberto Mancini yesterday.

But he faces competition from Everton, Spurs, Stoke, West Ham and Bolton who are also interested. Petrov, 31, wants a two-year deal.

from the mirror. someone save chris' critique of him before he deletes it, in case its true.

[Greg N'Ash]

Martin Petrov to spark bidding war as Bulgarian released by Manchester City alongside Benjani and Sylvinho
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 1:37 PM on 8th June 2010
Manchester City trio Martin Petrov, Benjani Mwaruwari and Sylvinho will all leave Eastlands this summer after the club opted not to offer them new contracts.

All three were used only sparingly by boss Roberto Mancini last season and their departures were expected, with the Italian set to bring in a number of players during the close season.

Petrov was signed by Sven-Goran Eriksson from Atletico Madrid in 2007 and enjoyed an impressive debut season on the wing.
 
But the Bulgarian's time at City was blighted by injuries and he leaves having made 57 starts, scoring 15 goals.
Bolton will lead the chase for the serial-assister, but they will face competition from Aston Villa, Everton and West Ham.


Striker Benjani was another Eriksson purchase, arriving from Portsmouth in January 2008 after netting on a regular basis during the first half of the season.
He made an instant impact by scoring the winner on his debut against Manchester United but he faded out of the picture and spent the end of this season on loan at Barclays Premier League rivals Sunderland, where he failed to score in eight matches.
Brazil defender Sylvinho joined City last summer after helping Barcelona win the Champions League but the 36-year-old was restricted to only nine starts.
Youngsters Jack Redshaw, Tobias Johansen and Karl Moore have also been released.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1284935/Martin-Petrov-sparks-bidding-war-Bulgarian-winger-released-Manchester-city-Sylvinho-Benjani.html#ixzz0qJ2XLgoX

[Summers]

Petrov can play up the right if asked too, so he could play without hampering Young's game. Would be a solid free signing. Hope we're in for him.

[VillaZogmariner]

I'd rather give Albrighton more game time than sign Petrov to be honest.

[lessealey]

I wouldn't go anywhere near Petrov. I would take Ballack on a two year contract mind.

[villa for life]

Seeing as the names of Albrighton and Delf keep cropping up on these threads, I would also like to add that I think next year is the year that they should be played. They will only be good enough or become good enough when they play regularly.

Spurs and Man City both leapfrogged this year and I'm sure that with further strengthening of their squads, they are surely going to finish ahead of us again. Therefore, it we are not going to finish in the top four next season, does it really matter if we are 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th or 9th?

Next year, might just be the perfect opportunity to give both players regular games as there will only be positive outcomes - either they do really well and we realise what we've got or they don't perform and we realise what we've got!

[*shellac*]

I would take Ballack on a two year contract mind.

Read from somewhere he might be off to the Middle East.  Even if he isn't, we can't afford his wages.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Have to agree with Chris, I wouldn't want M.Petrov, not the most hard working of players so I fail to see how he'd fit in with MON's work ethic.
Downing and Young are expected to work hard tracking back, I can't imagine M.Petrov doing that.

[pauliewalnuts]

Why would we be interested in Petrov?

Don't we have enough wide players?

[Rip Van We Go Again]

He's got Stoke or West Ham written all over him, can't see anybody higher in the food chain wanting him

[PaulTheVillan]

I could imagine Martin Petrov going to Blackburn.

Big Sam likes his old has beens.

[KevinGage]

He looked very good in a decent Man Citeh side at the turn of the year.

Usually when he's been in form/ not injured in recent seasons they've played well. Coincidence or not I'm not sure.

I'd have reservations about any deal, not so much because of his ability but more the overall average age of the side. It will be another player in and around the 30 bracket.

That said, if we shift a fair amount of deadwood this summer and Petrov is one of a number of incoming players it won't be the worst bit of business. It should give Downing a kick up the arse for one thing. There is no way he should be a guaranteed starter based on his form to date with us.