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

[UsualSuspect]

On the basis that we do get McLeish as manager, I can see a double swoop for Foster and Danns. 

have to agree

You would have to be insane to think that Blues will have any transfer dealings with us

Thing is, John, I want us to sign both those players but I think appointing McLeish lessens our chances of getting them. Blues will do anything not to sell those players to us after we've 'stolen' their manager and I can see them accepting a lower bid from someone else just to spite us.

[barrysleftfoot]

  Just imagine if his 1st signing is Joey Barton.

[Summers]

Barton would compliment our midfield, as much as I hate him.

[Mazrim]

Barton can fuck off and keep going.

[taylorsworkrate]

I don't want to contemplate how i'd feel about the club if we signed Joey Barton.

[avfcpg]

Dann and Foster only from them I would say, and that's if they want to sell to us.

This all seems very surreal. Wasn't long ago we were discussing if Rafa was coming and if we could possibly get the likes of Benzema. 

[Merv]

You're not wrong. It's actually getting a step worse every week.

[olaftab]

Dann and Foster only from them I would say, and that's if they want to sell to us.

This all seems very surreal. Wasn't long ago we were discussing if Rafa was coming and if we could possibly get the likes of Benzema. 

They will not have a choice who they sell to it's player who will decide.

And yes you are right  surreal it is. I am walking around dazed with what could possibly happen.

[olaftab]

  Just imagine if his 1st signing is Joey Barton.

Followed by Bowyer and Bell end!

[Matt Collins]

We'll definitely need a couple of exciting attacking players to replace Young and probably Downing and to generate some form of excitement and optimism.

Would be great if we could get the likes of Sturridge, N'Zogbia, Dszudszak. But I fear that the air around the club will put people off. Wouldn't be dead set against Barton personally. Personality aside, exactly the sort of player and character we need.

Not feeling too positive about our youngsters at the moment. They didn't set the championship alight (or even start in some cases) and aren't playing in what looks a decidedly average england under 21 side.

So ideally? At the absolute uppermost end of realistic, and assuming Young and Downing both go, I reckon something like:

Sturridge £15m
N'Zogbia £12m
Barton £5m
Walker £7m
Foster £8m
Enrique £8m
Dann / Johnson: £8m
Larsson: free
Westwood: free
Total spend: £63m

Outs:

Downing: £18m
Young: £16m
Warnock: £3m
Cuellar £3m

Total: £40m

Net spend: £23m

Would be astonished and extremely surprised to see anything on that scale, but I reckon it'd leave us with a good squad and first team:

Foster - Walker, Johnson, Dunne, Enrique - Barton, Petrov, Delph - Sturridge, Bent, N'Zogbia

Subs: Westwood, Clark, Young, Makoun, Albrighton, Larsson, Agbonlahor

Collins, Bannan, Fonz, Weimann as back ups.

[The Left Side]

I don't think we will get Enrique but I will be bloody chuffed if we do!

[JJ-AV]

Big season for young Marc. Not getting a look in for the u21's. He needs to step it up this year.

[Nirog72]

Having just watched the U21s I don't know how bereft of creativity they need to get before he gets a look in.

[Matt Collins]

He seems badly out of form though, plus doesn't necessarily help with keeping the ball. Sturridge was head and shoulders above other players on the pitch. Would be sensational with bent.

[Nirog72]

I agree. I know it's not transfer talk but which of Mancienne, Rodwell and Henderson is supposed to be the creative one of the midfield three?