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

[willywombat]

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.

I can honestly say I couldn't give a toss who wins it. The European Super League is coming and it looks like we dont have the financial clout to be part of it at the moment so I'll be really happy when Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea & Citeh f*ck off and level the playing field for the rest of us

[eastie]

Not sure but they certainly own the naming rights as the deal is done.

PIt the top 5 in a super league and we might have a real chance of being champions in the English league- would be interesting and as far as a superleague goes barcalona would piss it.

[DeeBoy1]

I can't believe that people are moaning about us wanting to sign Parker??? It's absolutely mental - have people forgotten he was Player of the year LAST SEASON?!? He's 30 and he's got 4 years in him for sure, I would imagine he's he kind of player who looks after himself well and he is exactly the kind of player we should be hoping to sign to bring on Delph, Barry and Gary. I think it would send a hugely positive message to the fans and media if we beat Spurs to his signature.

Waste of money at his age? Don't make me laugh.

[Matt C]

So links to N'Zogbia, Parker and Given this morning then? Sounds good.

I'm ignoring the Carlton Cole bit.

[eastie]

Sky live at bodymoor today and saying they understand villa and man city have agreed a deal of about £3.5m for shay given and should go through next week.

[Karl Bridges]

Matt Kendrick in Birmingham Mail

SHAY Given is poised to become Alex McLeish’s first signing next week with Villa close to striking a deal for the Manchester City goalkeeper.

The clubs are likely to agree a fee of around £3.5 million for the 35-year-old stopper, who is set to replace Brad Friedel as the claret and blues’ No.1.

Villa are also confident of Given accepting their personal terms, even though his £80,000-per-week City wages are expected to be cut to below £60,000.

McLeish and chairman Randy Lerner have been in contact with their Eastlands counterparts and hope to conclude the transfer within the next week.

However, it is not a completely done deal yet and Villa still have other goalkeeping options as back-up if it hits a late snag for any reason.

Given has become frustrated with his lack of action under Roberto Mancini after losing his place to McLeish’s former Blues loanee Joe Hart.

McLeish is keen for Brad Guzan to stay to challenge the new keeper despite previous suggestions Villa would allow the American international to leave.

Guzan failed to oust American compatriot Friedel from Premier League duty and spent part of last season on loan at Championship club Hull.

“I’d also like to hold on to Brad, definitely,” said McLeish. “I don’t think we’d be letting him go at this particular stage.”

McLeish will meet his first-team squad collectively for the first time when they report back to Bodymoor Heath for pre-season training today.

Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2011/07/08/aston-villa-close-to-agreeing-3-5m-fee-for-shay-given-97319-29017348/#ixzz1RUtmBkbD
 

[willywombat]

Sky live at bodymoor today and saying they understand villa and man city have agreed a deal of about £3.5m for shay given and should go through next week.

Good news!

[eastie]

Let's hope given stays fit as I dread the thought of brad guzan in goal for any length of time.

[Karl Bridges]

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.

A third of the cost of Stewart Downing who is 3 and a half years younger and Parker is a current England first teamer, unlike SD. You have to look both ways at deals. I'd take him all day long for £7m, just what our midfield needs.

[Gervilla81]

Reported today in Scottish press

Shay Given will sign for £4m and Alan Hutton for £5m and working hard on deal for N'Zogbia but that could drag into next week.

[glasses]

I can't believe that people are moaning about us wanting to sign Parker??? It's absolutely mental - have people forgotten he was Player of the year LAST SEASON?!? He's 30 and he's got 4 years in him for sure, I would imagine he's he kind of player who looks after himself well and he is exactly the kind of player we should be hoping to sign to bring on Delph, Barry and Gary. I think it would send a hugely positive message to the fans and media if we beat Spurs to his signature.

Waste of money at his age? Don't make me laugh.

Regarding player of the season. He was player of the season in a piss poor West Ham team that got relegated. Also, I seem to remember Habib Beye being Newcastle player of the season the year they went down. You cant really base your arguement on that.

I think he is decent, thats about it really.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

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.

A third of the cost of Stewart Downing who is 3 and a half years younger and Parker is a current England first teamer, unlike SD. You have to look both ways at deals. I'd take him all day long for £7m, just what our midfield needs.

He was superb last season in a terrible West Ham team.
Should have won the player of the year award.
He would be a real asset to have alongside Makoun and Delph.

Regarding him being the best in a poor team, every game I watched he was dominant and influential, the players round him (Hitz included) were chronic.

We really need a midfield leader and he would be it.

Not sure we are even him for him though, the rumours on him are not as loud as Given, Hutton and N'Zogbia.

[Chris Smith]

I can't believe that people are moaning about us wanting to sign Parker??? It's absolutely mental - have people forgotten he was Player of the year LAST SEASON?!? He's 30 and he's got 4 years in him for sure, I would imagine he's he kind of player who looks after himself well and he is exactly the kind of player we should be hoping to sign to bring on Delph, Barry and Gary. I think it would send a hugely positive message to the fans and media if we beat Spurs to his signature.

Waste of money at his age? Don't make me laugh.

Regarding player of the season. He was player of the season in a piss poor West Ham team that got relegated. Also, I seem to remember Habib Beye being Newcastle player of the season the year they went down. You cant really base your arguement on that.

I think he is decent, thats about it really.

He was the Football Writers Player of the year, not just West Ham.

He's a very good player and just what we need.

[Karl Bridges]

Regarding player of the season. He was player of the season in a piss poor West Ham team that got relegated.

It wasn't picked from the West Ham team though but the whole division.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

He'd be a massively better version of Petrov.

I'd see it as our most important signing of the Summer.