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

[PaulTheVillan]

I don't think we really need a winger that desperately. Downing has played well this year and Albrighton is excellent, so even if Ashley Young goes we're okay.

A workhorse in midfield who is okay on the ball might be useful. Not sure what Makoun is like? A striker is definitely on the wish list too.

With Downing and Albrighton having good seasons, I think we could afford to sell Ashley Young, get a striker and a midfielder like Scott Parker & we'd be a better side.

[Mazrim]

I'd be loathe to let Young go now but what you say is not without merit.
Hopefully we can keep him AND sign those players.

But no more drawn out sagas please. If he wants out (and I'm not sure he does), let him go for top money and wish him well.
In or out of form, he's never mugged us off for effort.

[Chris Smith]

For David Bentley see Stephen Ireland.

[john2710]

I'm not expecting any major spending, players who will improve us drastically won't be available now.

I would expect GH to sign players in areas where we are weak on cover - goalkeeper, left back, possibly up front but most the most likely signing is a defensive midfielder - Makoun on loan?

Ash won't be going anywhere until the summer |& as much as I hate to say it I can see him at Man Utd.

[TheSandman]

I don't think we really need a winger that desperately. Downing has played well this year and Albrighton is excellent, so even if Ashley Young goes we're okay.

A workhorse in midfield who is okay on the ball might be useful. Not sure what Makoun is like? A striker is definitely on the wish list too.

With Downing and Albrighton having good seasons, I think we could afford to sell Ashley Young, get a striker and a midfielder like Scott Parker & we'd be a better side.

I agree. We are overly strong in some areas and weak in others. We have too many wide players and trying to accommodate three of them couple with a lack of depth in central midfield has made us piss weak defensively in the middle.

[Shrek]

I have no problem Ash going to Man U, Chelsea or Arsenal, because they are a big step up. But Liverpool, Man City or Spurs and he is a Judas.

But if we let his contract run he might end up signing anyway if Houllier is a successful.

[Toronto Villa]

For David Bentley see Stephen Ireland.

Both excellent players that have made so much money in such a short time, that they've given up on their careers. A complete waste. Bentley can say all the right things about wanting a move and starting again, but any player that cannot get himself going during a World Cup year at a time when his position was completely up for grabs, in my opinion isn't bothered with the game anymore.

[Toronto Villa]

Another one of the Sky Sports understands so add salt if neccessary when reading

Villa move for French starlet
Houllier eyes Le Havre raid for Fofana
Last updated: 23rd December 2010   

Fofana: Villa target

Skysports.com understands Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of French youngster Gueida Fofana.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier has targeted the highly-rated Le Havre midfielder as he looks to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

Fofana impressed during last summer's European Under 19 Championships captaining France to success in the tournament.

Le Havre are resigned to losing Fofana with a number of clubs across Europe keeping tabs on his situation.

However, Villa are hoping to steal a march on their rivals by tabling an offer to Le Havre for the 19-year-old.

Houllier knows all about Fofana from his time as Technical Director for the French Football Federation and he is a big fan of the defensive midfielder.

Villa are hoping to agree a fee with Le Havre as they look to tie up a deal to bring Fofana to the club when the transfer window reopens

[Shrek]

Alex Mcleish has ruled out a move for John Carew.

Now big John loves us fans and would never go there. Non starter there.

[BedsVillain]

Another one of the Sky Sports understands so add salt if neccessary when reading

Villa move for French starlet
Houllier eyes Le Havre raid for Fofana
Last updated: 23rd December 2010   

Fofana: Villa target

Skysports.com understands Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of French youngster Gueida Fofana.

Villa boss Gerard Houllier has targeted the highly-rated Le Havre midfielder as he looks to bolster his squad in the January transfer window.

Fofana impressed during last summer's European Under 19 Championships captaining France to success in the tournament.

Le Havre are resigned to losing Fofana with a number of clubs across Europe keeping tabs on his situation.

However, Villa are hoping to steal a march on their rivals by tabling an offer to Le Havre for the 19-year-old.

Houllier knows all about Fofana from his time as Technical Director for the French Football Federation and he is a big fan of the defensive midfielder.

Villa are hoping to agree a fee with Le Havre as they look to tie up a deal to bring Fofana to the club when the transfer window reopens

Was talking about Fofana on another board this morning. I think he is a very exciting prospect indeed. I think if we are to get hold of young stars such as M'Vila, Sissoko or Hazard, we need to get them before they have burst onto the 1st class scene or made their full international bow.

Scouting and securing them when they are getting too big for Ligue 2 or lower Ligue 1 clubs would save us a hell of a lot of money and the chance of losing out to Europe's elite clubs.

Setting up a link with a team like Le Harve, who have a good record of blooding young players, could be a very shrewd move. We could send some of our youngsters over there on loan, it's only a ferry ride away from the south coast.

Philippe Auclair was on TalkSport earlier and mentioned our serious interest in Adil Rami, who would be a great signing IMO. He also mentioned Djibril Cisse, he said he looked nailed on until it was announced Cisse has to stay in Greece until the summer. Didn't realise his family are still in GB. He also mentioned we were scouting Dieumerci Mbokani, but so were a few other clubs. Mbokani had a fairly good scoring record at Liege, but hasn't settled into the 'Monaco lifestyle'. Not sure if he's the answer to our goal scoring problems!

[glasses]

I don't think we really need a winger that desperately. Downing has played well this year and Albrighton is excellent, so even if Ashley Young goes we're okay.

A workhorse in midfield who is okay on the ball might be useful. Not sure what Makoun is like? A striker is definitely on the wish list too.

With Downing and Albrighton having good seasons, I think we could afford to sell Ashley Young, get a striker and a midfielder like Scott Parker & we'd be a better side.

The thought of watching a team without AY, and including someone like Scott Parker, who in my opinion is utter garbage, makes me shudder, regardless of the striker brought in. He is not the answer to our midfield issues.

[regular_john]

I have no problem Ash going to Man U, Chelsea or Arsenal, because they are a big step up. But Liverpool, Man City or Spurs and he is a Judas.

But if we let his contract run he might end up signing anyway if Houllier is a successful.

To be fair, City and Spurs are both a step up at the moment. City will undoubtedly be competing for the very top honours in the next couple of years, once their team gels there's no reason they can't be competing for the premiership and, eventually, the champions league. They have literally limitless resources. Spurs are a step up in that they can currently offer champions league football, whereas we'll do well to offer even Europa league football next season.

[WikiVilla]

Surely an out-and out proven goalscorer is again the Nr 1 priority
Lets hope Houllier has spotted that

[barrysleftfoot]

   Young Argentinian who plays in Spain.......scored 2 goals against Sevilla last weekend.Looks a very very good player, £12/15m bid, would double your money in 2 years.


  What happened to that young lad who was at Racing Santander ?, last year.Think he went to RMadrid.He would be worth getting on loan.

  Rami, is that the CH, who played against England?Yes looked very solid, but tbh would be looking for 2 better FBs 1st.

[lovejoy]

I don't think we really need a winger that desperately. Downing has played well this year and Albrighton is excellent, so even if Ashley Young goes we're okay.

A workhorse in midfield who is okay on the ball might be useful. Not sure what Makoun is like? A striker is definitely on the wish list too.

With Downing and Albrighton having good seasons, I think we could afford to sell Ashley Young, get a striker and a midfielder like Scott Parker & we'd be a better side.

The thought of watching a team without AY, and including someone like Scott Parker, who in my opinion is utter garbage, makes me shudder, regardless of the striker brought in. He is not the answer to our midfield issues.

How often have you seen Parker this season? The spammers at work reckon he's carrying the team.