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

[mazrimsbruv]

My mate's little lad's favourite TV programme was Diego. He used to shout "Go Diego, Go!" everywhere he went.

Unfortunately he had trouble saying 'Diego' so he would actually shout "GO DAGO, GO!!". He had to stop taking him to Mexican restaurants in the end. 

[JUAN PABLO]

Diego! this guy is sheer quality!

Would love to sign this guy. It would sure make up for Young leaving. She's still only 26-27 isn't he?

is he a Tranny

[Concrete John]

Aston Villa are willing to offer Birmingham City Brad Guzan and cash in return for target Ben Foster, as Alex McLeish looks to bolster his squad from their rivals and former employers.
 According to The Mirror, the Villa Park boss is hoping the addition of the American goalkeeper to the deal will allow him to sign the 28-year-old from the club’s local rivals.
 
McLeish was hired at the club after resigning as manager of St Andrews earlier this month and is believed to be extremely keen on the Blues’ first-choice shot-stopper.
 
He signed the England-capped player from Manchester United last summer when in charge at Birmingham for an estimated £6 million.
 
The 52-year-old is also reportedly keen on goalkeeper Matt Gilks, who is a free agent after being released by Blackpool.
 
Brad Friedel was the club’s regular keeper for the past three years but quit for Tottenham after the 2010-11 season came to an end, and his contract expired.
 
Guzan joined Villa Park in July 2008 but has only made one appearance in the league since his arrival from MLS side Chivas.
 
He went out on loan to Hull City on two occasions last season, making 16 appearances at the club.

I could live with that.

Foster as number 1 with Gilks as reserve.

[Mazrim]

My mate's little lad's favourite TV programme was Diego. He used to shout "Go Diego, Go!" everywhere he went.

Unfortunately he had trouble saying 'Diego' so he would actually shout "GO DAGO, GO!!". He had to stop taking him to Mexican restaurants in the end. 

...and send him immediately to Texas Rangers training academy.

[Rick_avfc]

Stoke have bid £16m for Dann and Jerome from the Blues. SSN

Thats the worst Buy One Get One Free! 

[TheSandman]

The only ex-Aston Villa player I want to come back this summer is Kyle Walker.

If this Ruffier is really as good as they say and as cheap as £3million we should be in there like a shot.

[Rick_avfc]

The only ex-Aston Villa player I want to come back this summer is Kyle Walker.

If this Ruffier is really as good as they say and as cheap as £3million we should be in there like a shot.

Not even "Der Hammer" on a free?

[TheSandman]

Not sure about him coming back. We seem pretty well stocked in attacking midfield (the same reason I'm not keen on Milner or Gardner coming back).

I did forget NRC though. I'll have him back even if I do accept he is a bit limited as a footballer. You don't want a team of Reo Cokers but you kind of do need one.

[Concrete John]

So, how about this for a scenario:-

Downing goes for £20m.  We buy N'Zogbia for £10m and loan a big name for 12 months - Diego or Milner.  We also buy this Ruffier for £30m.  With Ash's £17m(?) that leaves £24m, plus whatever we have ourselves, to rebuild the defence and buy a new DCM.  Say £12m for Dann and two new FBs at £6m each.  £10m for someone like Parker, although I'd prefer a younger version, and we've got a pretty decent looking side for a net spend of only £10m!   

[Concrete John]

I did forget NRC though. I'll have him back even if I do accept he is a bit limited as a footballer. You don't want a team of Reo Cokers but you kind of do need one.

The 'water carrier' philosophy and one I fully agree with.

[pedro25]

Not sure about him coming back. We seem pretty well stocked in attacking midfield (the same reason I'm not keen on Milner or Gardner coming back).

I did forget NRC though. I'll have him back even if I do accept he is a bit limited as a footballer. You don't want a team of Reo Cokers but you kind of do need one.

Reo Coker is not half the player Milner or Barry are imo, would have Milner back over NRC any day of the week

[ozzjim]

I would take both, totally different players.

[BILL DE VALL]

If Sunderland get Gardner for 5m that will be a good bit of business for them-replace Henderson for roughly(with add ons) a quarter of the price.

he's at least 3/4 of the player/prospect-decent passer/tackler with a good strike on him

football valuations are a bit bonkers

[eastie]

Nice in theory John m but if reports are to believed the ash money was used in advance to get bent and has therefore already been spent?

I think downing will go to give eck some kind of leverage in the Market- there are so many conflicting rumours about randy cutting back -let's hope they are wrong.

[Monty]

if reports are to believed

I actually saw the headline "broke Villa offer for Milner". Never mind conflicting reports, they're contradicting themselves within single sentences!