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

[eastie]

Liverpool will make a move to sign Aston Villa winger Stewart Downing this summer. Anfield boss Kenny Dalglish is looking to bring in more natural wide options and is apparently an admirer of the former Middlebrough man who has had a solid season at Villa Park and may be interested in a move to the Merseyside club having seen the arrival of new owners and new management help steer them back up the Premier League table.

Having brought in a new strike pairing of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll Liverpool are now looking to make plans that will see them weed out under performing members of their squad whilst looking for solid additions, especially in the attacking third.

Dalglish has a lack of traditional wingers at the club and has tried to use Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic, Maxi and Dirk Kuyt with varying degrees of failure and he may feel he can convince Downing to consider a move from struggling Aston Villa for a move to Merseyside.

The Aston Villa man had a solid first season at Villa Park and this term has become a more consistent attacking threat and is one of the few bright spots in a season that has seen the Midlands club struggle for form. Gerard Houllier’s side are currently just five points from the relegation zone and also face the possibility of losing contract rebel Ashley Young in the summer as well.

[Monty]

From which reputable news source is this?

[eastie]

Local newspaper The Journal is reporting that Liverpool are interested in Aston Villa midfielder Stewart Downing. According to the paper, manager Kenny Dalglish rates the England international very highly and attempted to sign the player in the January transfer window. Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is also keen on the winger, but The Journal believes he will have to look elsewhere for his summer transfer targets as it is likely that Downing will sign for the Reds when the transfer window reopens

[WikiVilla]

Downing pledged his future to villa just days ago !

[Monty]

So essentially, not only is it rehashing January rumours but it's telling us that it's doing so?

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Dalglish can have Stephen 'Wibble wibble, I invented the banana' Ireland instead.

[WikiVilla]

It's the media trying to unsettle our players again

[eastie]

Downing pledged his future to villa just days ago !

come now wiki, how many times have we heard players say that before, i rate downing and would hate him to go but if he went he would have to ask for a move , and the fee would be very high thats for sure,
as for whether he would leave villa for liverpool , to be honest who wouldnt as things stand these days, if andy carroll would leave his boyhood club for them im sure stewie would jump at the chance to play for englands most successful ever club especially now thay have money to spend and king kenny at the helm again.

[Mazrim]

Can I just say that I think Albrighton is comfortably better than Jarvis, who I rate but only as quality cover.
I could live with Downing, Albrighton and Jarvis (plus maybe another youngster like Carruthers or a free transfer Larsson) being our wingers.
I dont think there's any chance of Downing AND Young leaving in the same season. Not unless really stupid money was offered.

[eastie]

Can I just say that I think Albrighton is comfortably better than Jarvis, who I rate but only as quality cover.
I could live with Downing, Albrighton and Jarvis (plus maybe another youngster like Carruthers or a free transfer Larsson) being our wingers.
I dont think there's any chance of Downing AND Young leaving in the same season. Not unless really stupid money was offered.

i agree maz , we would be talking £20m plus at least.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

I know Jarvis has been on form this season. But watched him the weekend and i never seen anything Albrighton has not got already. Plus Albrighton is a dedicated Villa fan. My nose mate reckons Larsson is an alround quality player and would be a bargain for us ......

[Concrete John]

If Ash goes I'm quite happy for Albrighton and Downing to be our starting wingers, however we do need some back-up in those positions.  Jarvis is a good a player as I can think of domestically who would come in without being a 1st choice.

[Dante Lavelli]

It's been mentioned before but Johnson is the man for me. If somehow we could persuade Man City to take Young (plus cash) for Milner and Johnson then I'd be very happy.

Before everyone laughs at me, I admit it is hugely unlikely, however with these financial fair play rules I can see quite a few exits from their squad (indeed people have speculated that it was always their plan to sign lots of players before so they can sell afterwards in order to boost their football income). I can just see Cook preferring the shirt selling/media darling of young to the less well known Johnson. Here's hoping...

Just noticed on the Beeb Rumours that they're after that Alexis Sanchez bloke for 35m (another winger come striker).

[Matt C]

N'Zogbia still looks like a decent option I think.

[Mazrim]

I like the thinking Dante but it would be something of a herculean task to land those two.
Even if they were to leave City there would be some serious interest in them.

Still, you don't ask...