Summer transfer rumours, speculation and out-and-out b*ll*cks.

[ozzjim]

Saw the Downing quotes in a Boro paper yesterday. Very different from a month ago, so must have been having an agent whisper sweet nothings into his ear. Villa need to learn from past mistakes, 2 years out, sign or sell or we will be in the same position again next season. If he won't sign, then pull the 15-20 million in for him that we can get right now and flog him. We have to be more business savy and wheel and deal more.

[DrGonzo]

At least we can expect something to happen before August.  I honestly believe we might come out of this summer quite well.  I don't think we'll manage to get Walker out of Ol' Hangdog, he's been quite loose lipped (=D) about players who might leave but not a peep about Kyle have I heard.  And if we are more or less resigned to losing Ash then we have 5 crucial signings. 
  We have L.Young, Ciaran Clark, Cuellar, (who's probs going to still be around), Baker, and I
believe Collins plus the up and comings. 
Jean II, Delph, Albrighton, Bannan, Gardner,
Hogg, I'd think one of Petrov/NRC, Downing will give us at least one more year.
  Bent, Delfouneso, Gabs.
1st (+2nd) choice keeper (if Brad #1 does chuff
off), CB, LB or RB, creative MF/LMF, striker.  Not
beyond the relams of possibility.  Cheer up folks
it's still only May! 

So how much money do you think those 7 players  will cost and how much do you expect us to bring in through sales? Friedel, NRC, walker, heskey will fetch nowt and warnock, Ireland, dunne, beye aren't likely to fetch much. Whereas unless we can find some bosmans I reckon you'd be looking at the best part of £40m for the 7 positions you mention. This is why I really think we should hold on to friedel and NRC.

Sorry but that's 2 defenders, 1 midfielder, 1 striker, and 1  keeper...which is 5, unless Brad #1 leaves in which case it is 6 max... not 7, which is why I said 5 crucial signings, rather than 7. k?

[Greg N'Ash]

Saw the Downing quotes in a Boro paper yesterday. Very different from a month ago, so must have been having an agent whisper sweet nothings into his ear. Villa need to learn from past mistakes, 2 years out, sign or sell or we will be in the same position again next season. If he won't sign, then pull the 15-20 million in for him that we can get right now and flog him. We have to be more business savy and wheel and deal more.

Have to agree. The contract situations with our best players seem to be treading a well worn path. I'd argue 2 years to go is pushing it as the reality is a top player will be moved on normally with a year to go on his contract just so the club get a bit of money back and the players know it.

[UsualSuspect]

People would take Corluka and Hutton over one of our best players this season? Walker has been superb ever since he joined.

Really?  I think he is a liability and has  been piss poor for the most part.  Caught out of position far to often at the back and with a terrible cross completion ratio going forward.   Ok he can run, so what, that's not good enough.   I hope we don't sign him.

What on earth...

He's been the standout... loads of people on here want him us to sign him. He's really good offensively and defensively, flies up and down the wing, good at tackling - especially at last-ditch tackling and put his body on the line for the team.

He's the complete right-back.

Have to disagree

Defensively he does come up short.

I think he would be better suited as a midfielder

[JJ-AV]

If he's not willing to sign a contract this Summer we must sell him.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Worrying Downing quotes from Matt Kendrick on Twitter.

"Worrying Downing quotes emerging: "I am 26 and at a major crossroads in my career so I won't be committing to a new deal at the moment.""

Not the most encouraging quotes are they? I’d tend to agree with the other comments that we need to be more savvy on the contract situation of our better players, although I cannot see that we will get rid of Young and Downing, who will stay for another season. At least it will continue the theme of losing our best player every close season, so that will be Barry, Milner, Young, Downing and my guess would be Bent.

[Greg N'Ash]

I wouldn't mind but the first year of his contract was a complete write-off anyway due to him being crocked/coming back from being crocked. Maybe i'm being naive but a bit of loyalty wouldn't go amiss.

[Ger Regan]

Saw the Downing quotes in a Boro paper yesterday. Very different from a month ago, so must have been having an agent whisper sweet nothings into his ear. Villa need to learn from past mistakes, 2 years out, sign or sell or we will be in the same position again next season. If he won't sign, then pull the 15-20 million in for him that we can get right now and flog him. We have to be more business savy and wheel and deal more.

It's a hard one to make out really. My first reaction was to wonder who had tapped him up, but then when I thought about it, what player, coming into the peak period of his career, would sign a new long-term contract when there's so much uncertainty over the manager?
I would imagine that if we have an excellent summer transfer wise, and get an answer one way or the other on the manager, that he could easily be persuaded to sign.

[UsualSuspect]

I wouldn't mind but the first year of his contract was a complete write-off anyway due to him being crocked/coming back from being crocked. Maybe i'm being naive but a bit of loyalty wouldn't go amiss.

I agree

Contract negotiations = pay rise

Personally I wouldn't be happy with that. That goes for any player after this season

[villasjf]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6952734,00.html
Downing seemed happy and has been our best player this year, something has obviosly been whispered in his ear.

[JUAN PABLO]

I wouldn't mind but the first year of his contract was a complete write-off anyway due to him being crocked/coming back from being crocked. Maybe i'm being naive but a bit of loyalty wouldn't go amiss.

I was thinking this myself and did think Downing would be that kind of player.

[JUAN PABLO]

my Leicester City mate just txted me says Kyle Naughton is up for sale , probably means we are not getting Walker then...

[Simon Ward]

Downing's agent been tapped up?

[JUAN PABLO]

Downing's agent been tapped up?

does he know ash young's agent ...

[Chris Smith]

If he's not willing to sign a contract this Summer we must sell him.

Great plan, sell both of your best players in the same summer.