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

[Percy McCarthy]

I think the kind of deal you'd need to offer Parker would be the polar opposite of where we are wanting to go.

I'm hoping the board are still willing to pay top money to top players;

Still?

[eastie]

Wouldn't mind a punt on Scott Sinclair if only to get his gf Helen Flanagan aka Rosie Webster down at villa park, would be worth the admission alone.

[Caiphus]

Wouldn't mind a punt on Scott Sinclair if only to get his gf Helen Flanagan aka Rosie Webster down at villa park, would be worth the admission alone.

I think he could be the next Ashley Young.

[eastie]

Press reports today that downing will hand in a transfer request as villa close on on given, nzogbia and Parker.

[placeforparks]

Wouldn't mind a punt on Scott Sinclair if only to get his gf Helen Flanagan aka Rosie Webster down at villa park, would be worth the admission alone.

more likely to get clive sinclair in his c5 down the wing at this rate.

[eastie]

Beware my friend, you will have clampy on here in a minute screaming for patience.

[Dante Lavelli]

Given and Parker strike me as very short term signings. If it happens, I predict we'll be moaning in a season or two that Parker is sat on the bench picking up his 70k a week for doing eff all.  If it is a four year deal I'd guess we'll struggle to get much value out of the final two years. He's already picking up a fair few injuries.

[eastie]

Not every player must have a sell on value- we need a mixture of youth and experience and given and Parker are very good players who could be influential over the next 3 years.

I'm sure the likes of Gardner and bannan would benefit greatly by playing alongside a player like Parker but I don't think he would come here as spurs have expressed an interest.

[Dante Lavelli]

True but within our squad we already have Dunne, Heskey, Petrov, Young, Beye and to a lesser extent Collins and Warnock who have little or no resale value. Unless we can ship some of them out I'd prefer to buy mainly youngsters otherwise we'll just be adding to our wage problem.

I suppose more than anything else it is because we're linked to Given AND Parker so it implies a philosophy although I should know better than to believe the press speculation.

[eastie]

To be honest my concern is watching Aston villa and seeing an exciting and winning team- let randy worry about the wage problem, I'm a supporter and it's what happens on the pitch that I go for , others are paid to worry about finances.

[eastie]

Man city have done a deal worth reported £150m to rename their stadium etihad stadium- and the rich get richer.

[Mr Diggles]

Man city have done a deal worth reported £150m to rename their stadium etihad stadium- and the rich get richer.

They don't even need the money, but it does allow them more room to spend on wages with regards to UEFA's FFP rules. They might be a cynical, avaricious lot seemingly ruining the modern game all on their own, but that kind of strategic thinking is quite impressive.

[Clampy]

aye. 7m for parker for probably 3 years? Can't see it.

Not for £7m, i can't either. It's a shame because he would be ideal, but £7m for a 30 year old would be stretching it.

[eastie]

Agreed and their fans have waited a long time for something to shout about- nice to put the reds out of the limelight for a spell- I really expect city to compete for the title this season and push utd and Chelsea hard.

[villasjf]

Man City dont own there ground do they? I thought it was still owned by the Manchester council.