January Transfer Window - Rumours, Links, B*llsh*t and Made-Up Nonsense

[PeterWithe]

Aston Villa are interested in Villarreal forward Guillermo Andres Lopez. The 18-year-old is also wanted by PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona. (Daily Mail)

Anyone know anything about him?

He is a youth team player yet to make a first team appearance, his scoring record in just a few youth games seems to be impressive.

[KevinGage]

Am I the only one who doesn't get into a head spin regarding how much footballers get paid? It really doesn't bother me. They are paid what someone wants to give them. Yes it may noy be right but in an entertainment industry that we all pay into why not give the starts of the show the better salaries? He happens in all other popular forms of entertainment that has worlwide appeal. Whether in films, sport, or whatever.

If the game was awash with money and English football was in such rude health that the  national side reflected this, I probably wouldn't be too bothered.

But when most sides -even the successful ones who pull in decent revenue- are heavily in debt it's a bit shit really. Clubs operating with wage bills accounting for 80% and more of total income isn't healthy.

Compound that with players on world class wages delivering third rate performances and I'd have to say that yes -on balance- I'm not crazy about the lack of value either.

[JJ-AV]

Am I the only one who doesn't get into a head spin regarding how much footballers get paid? It really doesn't bother me. They are paid what someone wants to give them. Yes it may noy be right but in an entertainment industry that we all pay into why not give the starts of the show the better salaries? He happens in all other popular forms of entertainment that has worlwide appeal. Whether in films, sport, or whatever.

I don't really care too much either. Especially now, really whats the difference to your or me if they earn 80k or 200k week?

It's the average players who get paid loads that annoys me, especially at Villa. Beye's inparticular as he's never contributed.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

It annoys me because I don't want to have to pay £40 to go to Villa Park, and if ticket prices were cheaper I'd be able to go more often.

[TheSandman]

Absolutely. 85% of the club's turnout goes on paying our players so of course it makes a difference to us as we are the mu... sorry customers of the club.

£68K to Ireland here, £40K to Beye there and so on and so forth. I doubt the majority of us on here get anything like that PER YEAR let alone per week. I know I don't. I wouldn't mind it as much if some of these guys contributed and excelled for us. But the Steve Sidwells, Habib Beyes and (I'm starting to believe) Stephen Ireland don't. It's a total disgrace.

[BedsVillain]

Looks like Ireland will be off in January then! Can't say I'm that fussed. Just hope we get most of the 8m back and spend it on a proper footballer.

Aston Villa will sell Ireland

[ozzjim]

I think I am in a very small minority that thinks Carrick would do great in the style of play that Houllier is trying to get us into. He and Reo Coker sitting in with more expansive players in front of them would be great for us IMO. Can't see United letting him go before the summer though with Hargreaves crocked again unless they sign someone.

[JJ-AV]

Such a shame about Ireland. Absolute wanker but undoubtedly brilliant. He'll do well at Fulham, shame he hasn't got it in him to work hard here.

We'll struggle to get someone of equal quality for £8million, but of course we'll be better for it.

[hawkeye]

Looks like Ireland will be off in January then! Can't say I'm that fussed. Just hope we get most of the 8m back and spend it on a proper footballer.

Aston Villa will sell Ireland

what is obvious is that a major clear out is needed before we add players to the squad

[JJ-AV]

Davies, Warnock, Ireland, Carew to all leave in January.

Friedel, Beye, Dunne, Pires, Young (unfortunately), Osbourne, Salifou all to follow in the Summer.

Reckon Houllier might like Sidwell, his attitudes right.

Goalkeeper, Left back and centre forward to arrive in Jan.

Right back, centre midfielder, creative midfielder and centre forward to arrive in Summer.

[Holtenderinthesky]

We should sell Ireland on our terms only. 

[eamonn]

To be honest that Guardian article makes us sound a shambles. And I'm really disappointed that Ireland has already jacked it in.

[Toronto Villa]

GH performed some major surgery when he first went to Liverpool that also led to the introduction of Gerrard and Carragher. He changed a lot of things very quickly and it led to a decent period of success for the club. I get the impression he's had just about enough with one or two at the club and they're just an unwanted distraction now. We need to get rid of a few, in January if possible, and bring in players who want to actually contribute.

[richard moore]

To be honest that Guardian article makes us sound a shambles. And I'm really disappointed that Ireland has already jacked it in.

Needed doing and I'm very pleased our manager is tackling things head on. O'Neill left us with a huge tail of over-rated, over-paid dross

[Rigadon]

GH performed some major surgery when he first went to Liverpool that also led to the introduction of Gerrard and Carragher. He changed a lot of things very quickly and it led to a decent period of success for the club. I get the impression he's had just about enough with one or two at the club and they're just an unwanted distraction now. We need to get rid of a few, in January if possible, and bring in players who want to actually contribute.

Yeah you can draw comparisons to what he did at Liverpool no doubt.  The thing that bothers me though is that Liverpool were still seen as one of the 'big 4' at the time and so could hold onto players like Gerrard and Owen etc.  Can we do the same if players like Albrighton/Bannan/Clarke et al turn into world beaters?  Can we keep hold of Young?  I'm not so sure which leaves me wondering if this approach will actually work in the present day at Aston Villa.

To be honest though, without a multi billionaire (!) I can't see any other way so we've just got to hope it works.