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

[Dave]

This must surely be the most boring transfer window since records began.

I don't just mean for us, but I mean across the board. Maybe it is a combination of the World Cup putting things on hold, and the financial depression hitting the game, but pretty much next to nothing has happened. Nobody is spending money.

I think it'll pick up as soon as Man City decide that they are done.

If I were a semi-decent player looking to move to a semi-decent club I would probably hold out for a lottery win and settle for elsewhere when I was sure it wasn't going to happen.

[Toronto Villa]

I agree paulie. That's why I get a little ticked when people start going on about MON not doing anything. It's not like anyone else really has either. It's been completely crap, and while in all likelihood it will be a frantic last two weeks, you honestly have to wonder why bother with a transfer window at all? Let teams buy and sell as they wish until March like it used to be and we won't have to stress ourselves with regard to deadlines.

[Toronto Villa]

Looks like McGeady is not going to happen...

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has admitted he has resigned himself to Aiden McGeady leaving the club and cannot now see him heading anywhere but Spartak Moscow.

Lennon spoke to the midfielder since his visit to Moscow and believes the trip has sold McGeady on the £9.5million move.

Celtic lost their final pre-season game 2-1 at home to Blackburn without McGeady being involved and Lennon, who claims he will receive "all the money" from any sale, believes the transfer could be sealed within 48 hours.

He said: "He was in yesterday and more or less said his goodbyes really so we'll see how that develops over the next one or two days. I would probably think it will be Moscow.

"He's going to go to Moscow in the next few days and get the deal finalised and that will be a relief in terms of putting the deal to bed because the sooner it's done the better. I'll get all the money.

"I won't be relieved at Aiden going because I'll be losing my best player and nobody wants to do that, but we feel it's good money for a top player.

"Having spoken to him yesterday he seemed a lot more settled. He said he liked what he saw. I'd like to think the way he was talking, this is the club he will go to unless something happens last minute."

It is understood McGeady would prefer to move to the Premier League and he has been linked with Aston Villa, managed by his former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, but Lennon doubts there will be a twist in the tale.

He added: "From what I gather it should get done over the next couple of days.

"It's not England, but you can't always get what you want in football. He's going to a big club with a decent pedigree and it might develop him further. All we can do is wish him the best."

Sporting Life -Clicky

Maybe McGeady was never going to happen at all, and it was just the media simply assuming MON would be interested. It wouldn't be the first time they'd added things up wrong.

[Mazrim]

I'm not totally convinced by Pienaar. He's decent but we can do better. As for £15m... do me a favour.

[JJ-AV]

Don't know if it's been posted but there's a mate of Gerrard's on one of the Liverpool forums, he pops up with a few ITK's every now and again and has said Crouch (and Poulsen) are coming to Liverpool.

I can't see Redknapp letting Crouch and Keane go, so maybe that's scuppered the Keane deal?

[atomicjam]

The Guardian:-

Aston Villa in belated bid to keep Ashley Young out of Spurs' hands• Villa fear Champions League football could lure winger away
• Young's £65k-per-week wages may deter Tottenham


Aston Villa are set to hold talks to resolve Ashley Young's future this week as the Midlands club seek to put together a new contract offer that will keep the winger out of Tottenham Hotspur's clutches.

Young has less than two years remaining on his current deal and has stated this summer that he would be happy to discuss extending his stay at the club beyond the summer of 2012. Villa have yet to make a formal offer to the 25-year-old but the subject of a new contract has been on the agenda for several weeks and is set to form a key part of discussions between the two parties before the weekend.

Although Tottenham are keen to sign Young and, if they win their play-off, would be able to offer the prospect of playing in the Champions League this season, the London club would not be in a position to significantly increase his salary. Young, who was recalled to the England squad for the friendly against Hungary on Wednesday, is the top-paid player at Villa Park, earning close to £65,000 per week, and Spurs would be reluctant to go above that level because of their wage structure.

Villa have been trying to reduce their own wage bill, which climbed by 42% in the accounts for the 2008‑09 season, but the club also appreciate the importance of holding on to one of their most influential players at a time when James Milner is on the verge of joining Manchester City. Villa supporters would not want to countenance losing Milner and Young in the same summer.

Although Young is ambitious and eager to play in the Champions League, he is known to have enjoyed the freedom that Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, has given him during pre-season, when he has often been deployed in a role just off the main striker and encouraged to roam. Whether he will retain that position when the season starts remains to be seen, with much likely to depend on the comings and goings at Villa this week.

O'Neill suggested on Friday night that the Milner deal, which is expected to involve Stephen Ireland moving in the opposite direction, could be completed over the weekend but there was no sign of any progress last night. The reason for the impasse after an agreement appeared to be so close is unclear, although Manchester City have indicated that the ball is in Villa's court.

Milner will join the England squad today and if the transfer is not resolved by the close of play it could well have to wait until later in the week because of the Hungary match. Although the Football Association may decide to give Milner permission to head to City for talks and a medical tomorrow if that was required, the player is believed to be uneasy about being away from the England set-up 24 hours before a game.

[dave.woodhall]

It seems as though there's a lot of talk about players moving out, and not much about them coming in.

[Monty]

I don't think we'd sell Young whatever he or Spurs want. He's staying, I really don't fear anything. Quite apart from anything else, I don't see Spurs being able to afford any sort of fee; if we want £30m for Milner, God knows what we want for Young.

[Dante Lavelli]

Don't know if it's been posted but there's a mate of Gerrard's on one of the Liverpool forums, he pops up with a few ITK's every now and again and has said Crouch (and Poulsen) are coming to Liverpool.

I can't see Redknapp letting Crouch and Keane go, so maybe that's scuppered the Keane deal?

Keane's form has been excellent pre-season too.  I think he offers something different to spurs whereas Crouch and Pavlechenko strike me as similar strikers, or at least able to play the target man role.

I would not be too disappointed as long as we get Ireland.  I'd prefer the money to be spent on a milner replacement.  Someone to play alongside Petrov.

[villa for life]

That's an interesting one - personally I rate Milner more, so would put Young's value lower..especially as he can't cover at right back.

[The Walshmeister]

I want Keane, Ireland and ANO...............fact, tomato, tomatoe Mick!

[Mazrim]

I just cant see Young going anywhere and certainly not Spurs. We've not exactly made it easy for Milner to move for ridiculous money and Young would be valued higher. It would be beyond Spurs' budget.
Randy/MON etc wouldn't entertain losing two of our best players this summer. No way.

[DB]

Arteta - yes! But no reason to leave Everton for us, unless we ofer huge wage increase.

[LeeB]

Losing Carew would be a disaster in my opinion.

Agree totally, I think he's been top scorer last 3 seasons and he's a very good player also

I don't doubt his ability, just his application. If Redknob is still interested, I'd offer him in a straight swap for Crouch.

[LeeB]

That's an interesting one - personally I rate Milner more, so would put Young's value lower..especially as he can't cover at right back.

Young is a better player than Milner, all day long and twice on Tuesdays.