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

[Concrete John]

I've always been completely lost by the logic in the argument that you wouldn't tust the manager who bought a player to be able to find their replacement.  Completely baffles me!

As for a keeper - I think Shay Given will be it and I'd be happy weth that!

[Mazrim]

I wold be happy with Given but I'd be happier still with a taller keeper that comands his area with more authority and comes off his line. Given, like Friedel seems too often rooted to his line although there's no doubting his quality in terms of shot stopping, awaress and handling.

We need to find the new Bosnich and possibly his understudy too.

[robinleper]

As we know now we should be in the market for a good goalkeeper in the summer. I would go for Rene Adler at Leverkusen a really good goalkeeper. Only 26, young for a goalkeeper. I would prefer an english goalkeeper however Who is a realistic choice? Apart from Green and Robinson.
I also believe that it will be a French goalkeeper.
I would also like to see a young number 2 to be given experience. I hear that there is a keeper in the youth team who looks the part already, give him a chance next season

[eastie]

Robinson was interested in signing and liked o Leary - he was full of praise of him as he'd brought him through at Leeds- the reason he didn't sign was money.

As for young , yes he will be in demand but clubs know he will be on a free next season and villa have their hands tied,people expecting £20m are way off the mark- if we get £15m it will be exceptional business for a player in his last year of contract.

[KevinGage]

Begovic at Stoke has been getting rave reviews this season.

'arry was keen last year, there still might be some fallout with that one as Portsmouth and Tottingham are currently in dispute over that deal not going through.

Would probably take silly money to get Stoke to sell, but I'd rather have a keeper who might actually be a longterm fixture for us, rather than someone like Given who will probably need to be replaced in 2/3 years and the cycle starts all over again.

£20 million plus James Collins for Begovic + Shawcross might get them to bite. Two problem positions covered all  in one fell swoop.

[Mazrim]

£20 million plus James Collins for Begovic + Shawcross might get them to bite.

I bet it would. Sorry mate, that's a crazy offer.

[eastie]

Crikey gagey, id want their whole squad for that price mate.

[Mazrim]

I do like the idea of getting Shawcross though, dont get me wrong. Just... a bit cheaper.

[eastie]

Playing this system GED will be looking for a defender who is comfortable in possession, I think Clark can play that kind of role but neither Collins or dunne or cuellar have good distribution.

In the long term he will want all his team
to be decent at passing and playing the ball out of defence rather than just hooding it up the pitch, maybe he has his eyes on a couple of French players in the summer , one thing for sure he has great contacts worldwide and hopefully will unearth some jewels ala wenger style.

[Mazrim]

I think he might go for somebody like Mexes.

[Shrek]

Robinson was interested in signing and liked o Leary - he was full of praise of him as he'd brought him through at Leeds- the reason he didn't sign was money.

As for young , yes he will be in demand but clubs know he will be on a free next season and villa have their hands tied,people expecting £20m are way off the mark- if we get £15m it will be exceptional business for a player in his last year of contract.

His contract will be irrelevant if lots of clubs are interested.

If he is available this summer the highest bidder wins, Barry was different he wouldn't have gone anywhere else.

If Man U, Chelsea, Liverpool and Spurs are all Interested, there not all gonna say 12million take it or leave it, they will outbid eachother working in our favour.


Unless of course Young states he only wants to go to a certain club ie Man U, then we are fucked.

[Shrek]

I think he might go for somebody like Mexes.

He is quality, but has just signed a long term deal at Roma.

[eastie]

There won't be a bidding war as they know he's in his last year, randy cannot call their bluff and lose him for nothing and although I think there will be a few clubs after him they are not going to pay crazy money for a player they could get for free a year later- if a bid of £15m came in i'd take it like a shot, ash will probably have his choice of clubs but there will not be anything like £20m on the table.

Look at van der vaart last season at £8m , once a player is down to his last year it's a whole new ball game and the player and buying club hold all the aces.

Houllier likes to do his dealing by the end of June in general, so let's hope this doesn't drag out like milners sale did, if he's going let's get it done and get in the players GED wants to strenghten the team.

[Mazrim]

I think he might go for somebody like Mexes.

He is quality, but has just signed a long term deal at Roma.

Has he? Oh well. Somebody like that anyway.

[KevinGage]

I do like the idea of getting Shawcross though, dont get me wrong. Just... a bit cheaper.

And how much cheaper do you think he's going to be?

I'd say anywhere close to £10-12 million for an English CB at the right age would be about right.  Begovic joined Stoke for £3.5 million last year and nearly joined Chelsea a few months back. Unlikely to get him for any less than £7-8 million, I'd have thought.

Collins joined us for £5 million, hasn't particularly improved so, we'd do well to get anywhere close to our money back on him. £4 million might be about right.

On the basis that Stoke don't need/ want to sell, you always have to pay a premium. Pulis was interested in Collins at around the same time we were, so give it a lash.