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

[ozzjim]

I think they are the 2 players who would obviously replace Freidel and Young without losing a lot of quality. NZogbia is maybe more direct and less of a team man though. I still think 4-3-3 is the way to go with Bent up there, NZogbia and another forward playing off him wide with 2 holding and a link to hit some through balls. Adam would have been ideal in that role.

[pauliewalnuts]

Never rated N'zogbia. seems to be virtually unplayable about 2 or 3 times a season when he turns it on, the rest of the time, barely adequate.

That sounds a bit familiar.

[Matt Collins]

N'zogbia was excellent last season. Not sure we can set our heights much higher

[Greg N'Ash]

N'zogbia was excellent last season. Not sure we can set our heights much higher

yeah if we're shopping in England. 10-15m for him when you can get probably someone just as good for half that from abroad seems a bit daft if we're on a limited budget

[BedsVillain]

N'zogbia was excellent last season. Not sure we can set our heights much higher

Agree, 10 goals & 11 assists in a pretty poor team is good going in my book. I think with Bent in the same team his assists rate is going to go up dramatically! Could easily play in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1

[ozzjim]

If that were the case Greg, then surely more teams would do. There are not many players like NZogbia in the league. I would bet one like him would set you back 8 million plus abroad too.

[Redman]

Mazrim it's difficult to respond to your post without repeating myself so I'll try not to. This is tiresome enough already.

Firstly, the old "we're the enlightened ones - it's you who's deluded" chestnut is glib nonsense. If you're interested in overcoming delusion, you have no choice but to acknowledge that all football fans are basically the same; we just have different allegiances and we're all as deluded as each other.

That's why your opinion isn't to be trusted and nor is mine. That's why what you or I think of Henderson or Young is meaningless. That's why the bearing the Henderson or Young fee have on any Downing deal will be different to what you or I would like. That's why it's senseless and illogical to assert that because Downing is a better player than Henderson at this moment he is worth more. That's why nobody at Villa will embarrass themselves by negotiating from such an over-simplistic position. And that's why your valuation of £20m+ is as absurd as the Liverpool supporters' who wouldn't go higher than £12m.

Whatever you've been 'reliably informed', there's no way the Mancs have paid £20m upfront for Young. As you'll see in the coming days, neither will Liverpool for Downing. And if he should be signing for a CL club, you best let him know fast before he makes a big mistake.

[ozzjim]

But Redman, United have paid 16 rising to 20 with add ons reportedly. If you get Downing, I would bet on it being 18-19 plus 2-3 million add ons.

[Mazrim]

Mazrim it's difficult to respond to your post without repeating myself so I'll try not to. This is tiresome enough already.

Firstly, the old "we're the enlightened ones - it's you who's deluded" chestnut is glib nonsense. If you're interested in overcoming delusion, you have no choice but to acknowledge that all football fans are basically the same; we just have different allegiances and we're all as deluded as each other.

That's why your opinion isn't to be trusted and nor is mine. That's why what you or I think of Henderson or Young is meaningless. That's why the bearing the Henderson or Young fee have on any Downing deal will be different to what you or I would like. That's why it's senseless and illogical to assert that because Downing is a better player than Henderson at this moment he is worth more. That's why nobody at Villa will embarrass themselves by negotiating from such an over-simplistic position. And that's why your valuation of £20m+ is as absurd as the Liverpool supporters' who wouldn't go higher than £12m.

Whatever you've been 'reliably informed', there's no way the Mancs have paid £20m upfront for Young. As you'll see in the coming days, neither will Liverpool for Downing. And if he should be signing for a CL club, you best let him know fast before he makes a big mistake.

[Redman]

But Redman, United have paid 16 rising to 20 with add ons reportedly. If you get Downing, I would bet on it being 18-19 plus 2-3 million add ons.

16-20m sounds about right. I'd wager the Downing fee will be something similar. I guess we'll see.

[Lambert and Payne]

I agree were all deluded and blinded by loyalty, but if you think 20 mill for henderson and think 12 is enough for Downing you need to take a serious look at yourself...

[ozzjim]

But Redman, United have paid 16 rising to 20 with add ons reportedly. If you get Downing, I would bet on it being 18-19 plus 2-3 million add ons.

16-20m sounds about right. I'd wager the Downing fee will be something similar. I guess we'll see.

I would stake a fair amount on the starting fee being higher. Downing has longer on his contract, and just got player of the season. I would think 19 plus 3 add ons for chumps league, keeping Carroll out of jail and making Henderson look half decent.

[Redman]

I agree were all deluded and blinded by loyalty, but if you think 20 mill for henderson and think 12 is enough for Downing you need to take a serious look at yourself...

How about 16 mill for each?

I am right in saying there'd be riots on the streets if Albrighton was sold for £16-20m? If so, doesn't that put the Henderson fee into perspective a bit? You can guarantee similar "waste of money" arguments would be made if he was (although probably not by Villa fans). Both started the season well and then lost form. One was shite for the under-21s, the other couldn't even get a game.

[Dave]

I agree were all deluded and blinded by loyalty, but if you think 20 mill for henderson and think 12 is enough for Downing you need to take a serious look at yourself...

How about 16 mill for each?

Downing was £10m when he was an broken-legged winger coming off his worst-ever season having just been relegated.

He's since had his best ever season, sweeping the player of the year awards for his club and has two years left on his contract.

I'd say that's worth more of an increase, particularly when the potential buying club has spent (without wanting to get into a debate about the merits of the players on whom it was spent) a fuck-load of money on players who haven't played as well as he has.

[Greg N'Ash]

If that were the case Greg, then surely more teams would do. There are not many players like NZogbia in the league. I would bet one like him would set you back 8 million plus abroad too.

#

well thats the trick isn't it. someone found N'Zogbia before he started commanding stupid money and if the rumours are true and we have a limited budget then we better hope AM has scouts outside the UK, or we'll be in the same mess as under MON.