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

[MattW]

It looks like the new manager will precede any new players.

Telegraph

MacDonald, the reserve team coach who stepped up to fill the breach when O'Neill quit this week, conceded that the club were currently equipped only to focus on the six inches in front of their face.

Having inherited a number of players disgruntled under the former regime, and with six staff members gone, MacDonald has been left an unenviable assignment getting Villa ready for their first match of the season, against West Ham.

"It has been difficult getting everything sorted out," he said. "We're chasing around trying to get everything done."

The size of the task beyond Saturday's fixture is a daunting one. Peripheral players earning indecent wages still need to be shifted to conform with wage-to-revenue demands, and reinforcement is required if they are to sustain a challenge in the Premier League and Europe. They play Rapid Vienna in the Europa League next week.

The messages from the club are that there will be no rush to appoint a permanent replacement, yet MacDonald has been given no authority to scout for new players, leaving the club's transfer policy in limbo.

"If everything was right it should be done sooner or later, because then you have a couple of weeks to go," he said. "The transfer stuff is going to be left on the backburner."

MacDonald's primary concern is to deal with putting out a team today, with injuries to three central defenders, Carlos Cuellar, Curtis Davies and James Collins, and a hamstring injury to Gabriel Agbonlahor to contend with, as well as having to decide whether to play James Milner, who is set to join Manchester City.

Some introduction for the 49-year-old, a Villa employee for 15 years.

Results will determine whether he is a contender for the role; whether he would want it is another matter. "Do I want the job full-time? It's hard to say. I'll see how I enjoy it," he said.

[BannedUserIAT]

My point is, if Heskey was being sold to Sunderland, and because he hadn't asked for a transfer and was having to take a cut in wages, asked for £2m as a loyalty pay off, people would be going mad about it.

A few comments along the same lines in The Milner Novel(l)a"

I wonder if people would feel the same if it turned out that's why Luke Young's move to Liverpool fell through or if Heskey or Beye held out for a similar sum before agreeing to move?

Based on what definition of loyalty?
If it's based on the figure that Ireland is assumed to be asking for then Heskey would receive £330k and Beye £220k (and that's based on Ireland's pay which I doubt that they're getting).

[Phil from the upper holte]

Most of todays papers are saying Milner will start

Interesting, If he does I wont boo as I don't think its going to help the situation

[Arsey]

Jones signing for Stoke for 8mil seems a pretty good deal to me.  Perhaps we should have tried to do some kind of exchange deal with Ivanhoe.

[wozwebs]

Can't see how Milner can play knowing that he will be playing for a rival club next week

[Phil from the upper holte]

Can't see how Milner can play knowing that he will be playing for a rival club next week

Until they cough up the cash he's our player and he is paid by us!

[old man villa fan]

If the Ireland part exchange deal breaks down and it is cash only for Milner, we have to go out and buy (providing a new manager comes in quickly) or we will be in for a so-so season.  We could get by until January by playing a more passing type of game with Downing in the middle but I think we would do very well to finish in the top 7 again.

Ireland has already been identified as a part replacement for Milner so should go through whether we have a new manager or not.  Beyond this, no other players should be signed until a new manager is in place.  If we have decent offers come in for any of our high paid non-playing players, the club should sell them regardless of having a manager or not.  Even though this would reduce the squad size a little, we should just make it up by promoting a couple of the youngsters.

The more I think about it, the more I think how much damage MON has done to the club by his inaction from the end of last season and his action in walking out now.  This all smacks of a man working to his own agenda and not the clubs.

[ashkar]

with Collins and Cuellar still to come, the competition for the defence is going to be fierce.

petrov ireland midfield combo looks good but its a bit lightweight. We need another hard tackling midfielder. Reo Coker looks unfit.

With Gabby Weimann and the Fonz, maybe its best to wait till we move for a new striker. after all ashley young now will be playing as the second striker.  I think Heskey's days are numbered.

Of the big wage earners i reckon Davies, one of Sidwell/Reo Coker, Heskey should be released.

Luke Young has to stay, specially since we need backup for warnock as well.

[London Villan]

Be great if we pip Man City to a Champions League spot on one goal goal difference!

[KevinGage]

Jones signing for Stoke for 8mil seems a pretty good deal to me.  Perhaps we should have tried to do some kind of exchange deal with Ivanhoe.

One of a number of benefits of MON storming off this week is that we'll (hopefully) avoid those kind of signings.

My heart used to sink when we were linked with the likes of Carlton Cole, Jones and the rest, and I'd pray they'd get snapped up by other clubs.

Just think: had he got his way and signed McGeady would Albrighton have played today? McGeady predominately plays on the left, granted. But MON generally tries to shoe-horn his favourites into the side at the expense of such trifling irrelevances as balance, formations et.c

Judging by how JC played today I still think we need something extra up top. When he turns up, he can be phenomenal. But there seems to be very little grey area. He's either very good or not with it at all. In fairness, you couldn't fault his workrate today.

Perhaps a loan deal for a RSC or similar. When fit he'd provide us with something different.

Luckily we don't need to be in the market for a RB now. 

[OCD]

Perhaps a loan deal for a RSC or similar. When fit he'd provide us with something different.

It would have to be something different with his wages and injury proneness. Don't forget that Gabby has shown he can play alone up front. Splitting the workload between those 2 and Fonz should be enough. Other areas need more work, namely centre midfield. Right now we only have Petrov and NRC who can play the 2 DM roles. Ireland is best used where Young played today and we might need cover out wide.

[Greg N'Ash]

To be honest, if we didn't lose Milner i'd be quite happy not to buy anyone before the deadline. Yesterday showed there's enough talent worth assessing in the youngsters and also the discarded players to keep the management happy till January. Randy being linked to buying Bentley and Keane is a bit worrying unless Jol is nailed on to take over.

[abc123cox]

Villa Owner Ready to Sanction £20m Tottenham Pair Offer: Bentley and Keane Targeted

Randy Lerner is willing to finance a deal to bring Tottenham paid Robbie Keane and David Bentley to Villa Park. With James Milner set to secure his long awaited move to Manchester City, a move that appeared to trigger Martin O’Neill’s resignation, the Aston Villa owner is ready to reinvest the money raised from the sale to help bring at least, if not both, White Hart Lane players.

Kevin MacDonald did his chances of getting the permanent position at the club no end of good by guiding his side past West Ham with ease and Lerner is happy to give up to £20 to help bring both long term Tottenham targets.

Harry Redknapp may well be willing to offload former Arsenal man David Bentley but may be less keen on selling Keane who has shown great form during the pre-season matches but is still not a first choice starter at the club. Both players may be excited by a move to a club who could offer a guaranteed run in the first team.

Martin O’Neill was linked with moves for both players during his tenure and it appears that MacDonald values the potential signing of both as well

[PaulWinch again]

Villa Owner Ready to Sanction £20m Tottenham Pair Offer: Bentley and Keane Targeted

Randy Lerner is willing to finance a deal to bring Tottenham paid Robbie Keane and David Bentley to Villa Park. With James Milner set to secure his long awaited move to Manchester City, a move that appeared to trigger Martin O’Neill’s resignation, the Aston Villa owner is ready to reinvest the money raised from the sale to help bring at least, if not both, White Hart Lane players.

Kevin MacDonald did his chances of getting the permanent position at the club no end of good by guiding his side past West Ham with ease and Lerner is happy to give up to £20 to help bring both long term Tottenham targets.

Harry Redknapp may well be willing to offload former Arsenal man David Bentley but may be less keen on selling Keane who has shown great form during the pre-season matches but is still not a first choice starter at the club. Both players may be excited by a move to a club who could offer a guaranteed run in the first team.

Martin O’Neill was linked with moves for both players during his tenure and it appears that MacDonald values the potential signing of both as well

I'm sorry but that is clearly bollocks, no way would we pay £20 million for those two.

[BannedUserIAT]

Ashley, Downing, Albrighton....we certainly are in need of a winger. And, having not yet decided on a permanent manager, I think it's perfect logic to spunk millions on Bentley.