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

[Merv]

No, you're right... I always thought he was a Gareth Barry type, just with a better range of passing and sharper on set-pieces. I still don't believe we've got what I consider an attacking central midfielder at the club.

[Mazrim]

It's true, you have to go to the youth players to find one. Gardner, Johnson, Forrester etc.
The nearest first team player that could be considered a central attacking midfielder is Pires or Young. And neither are specialists in that position.

Its definitely something we could do with in the armoury but Kallstrom isnt really that either.

[JUAN PABLO]

I think Kallstrom is ace and would thrive in this league. God, it's like my 2005 wishlist coming to life

Strong, thunderbolt shot, great range of passing, versatile, good from set pieces and experienced.
Plus we've been lacking scandinavians recently.


Potential squad for next season, completely off the top of my head and a bit of fun:

Green, Westwood, Guzan.
Walker, Young, Sakho, Johnson, Clark, Collins, Taiwo
Kallstrom, Makoun, Parker (c), Delph, Gardner,
Bannan, Larsson, Albrighton, Downing, Gourcuff,
Bent, Agbonlahor, Gignac, Delfouneso, Weimann

Gignac ..    we could have had him for £4 million when MON was here, MON dithered , then went back and the price had gone up to £14 million.. 

[Mazrim]

We've gone after Gignac before?

[JUAN PABLO]

We've gone after Gignac before?

well, Cignac was recommended by one of the scouts/staff to MON , and could have had him for £4 million , but he is a ditherer ..   by the time MON said OK , Cignc had started to really look the part and the price went right up.  He would have been worth it at £4 million.      at least we got Harewood for the same money  ;-)

[Mazrim]

I just used him as an example of somebody who is tidy and creative but still physically imposing and a goal threat.

Ideally we'd go after Lukaku but he's going to be in big demand.

[JUAN PABLO]

I just used him as an example of somebody who is tidy and creative but still physically imposing and a goal threat.

Ideally we'd go after Lukaku but he's going to be in big demand.

Is he Belgian ?

[seanthevillan]

Yeah an being chased by a host of Champions League clubs, as is PSG's Sakho apparently - so you can probably rule him out of joining Maz's dream squad as well I reckon.

[BedsVillain]

I just used him as an example of somebody who is tidy and creative but still physically imposing and a goal threat.

Ideally we'd go after Lukaku but he's going to be in big demand.

Lukaku really is going to be good! There's already £25m+ talk about him moving to Europe's elite.
 
A player I've been quite impressed with this season is Montpellier's Olivier Giroud. Not prolific, 10 goals from 30 league games. But he's a big imposing striker, with a bit of skill and imagination. Could be a cheap option to replace Carew & Heskey this summer.

[Mazrim]

Another option might be to get Connor Wickham. A bit soon for him but he's going to be a handful too.

[ozzjim]

Wickham and Chamberlain should be on our wish list, simply due to the fact that they are unlikely to lose value, will be good squad players and if they develop as is predicted, we would have 2 potential top class players on the books.

[Mazrim]

Indeed.

[BedsVillain]

I think both would command inflated prices from their respective clubs. Maybe if we did a deal for both where we buy them at a reasonable price, with a sell on clause and then send them straight back to Ipswich & Southampton for a years loan and we pay the increae in their wages. 

[Karl Bridges]

From Sport.co.uk

Sport.co.uk understands that Liverpool and Aston Villa are ready to battle for the summer signature of Rennes skipper Kader Mangane who is set to leave the club in the summer.

Mangane, 28, signed for Rennes in 2008 and has established himself at the heart of the Ligue 1 outfit’s defence while also picking up the captain’s armband. His current deal expires in 2012 with the player informing the club that he is ready to quit in the summer with his ambition to seal a move to the Premier League.

A source close to the player informed Sport.co.uk that Mangane was on the radar of Gerard Houllier and Liverpool Director of Football Damien Commoli with the Senegal international desperate to seal a move to the Premier League.

Mangane has made 22 appearances for Rennes and has been one of the stand-out defenders in Ligue 1 during the current campaign, however the experienced stopper is now eager to challenge himself in England’s top tier.

[BedsVillain]

From Sport.co.uk

Sport.co.uk understands that Liverpool and Aston Villa are ready to battle for the summer signature of Rennes skipper Kader Mangane who is set to leave the club in the summer.

Mangane, 28, signed for Rennes in 2008 and has established himself at the heart of the Ligue 1 outfit’s defence while also picking up the captain’s armband. His current deal expires in 2012 with the player informing the club that he is ready to quit in the summer with his ambition to seal a move to the Premier League.

A source close to the player informed Sport.co.uk that Mangane was on the radar of Gerard Houllier and Liverpool Director of Football Damien Commoli with the Senegal international desperate to seal a move to the Premier League.

Mangane has made 22 appearances for Rennes and has been one of the stand-out defenders in Ligue 1 during the current campaign, however the experienced stopper is now eager to challenge himself in England’s top tier.

He's a big fella and Rennes have the best defensive record in Ligue 1 so far this season. Can also play DMF.

Just seen Gervinho score a good goal for Lille in the Coupe de France. Seriously hope we go back in for him this summer, will be in the last year of his contract so hopefully a bit cheaper than January!