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

[Dante Lavelli]

Nice work WW.
Almost joining to Chelsea and Barca suggests that he is well respected and that he could be awesome, yet the actual tangible facts (identified in the piece) is a tad less exciting.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

Well I'll claim to have "found" Messi and Xavi then because I saw them on telly last year.

Montgomery is certainly an original, a nightclub worker who became a top footballing talent spotter, credited with spotting millions of pounds worth of talent, his knack culminating in an amazing approach from one of Europe's mightiest clubs, Barcelona.


"Yeah, Barcelona's interest puts everything into perspective I guess," smiled Monty. "Representatives of the Barcelona president approached me during last season before West Ham went down.


"They were sick of having to spend £20 million on a player to match Real Madrid and wanted me to head their drive to unearth those players when they are still priced at £2 million to £3 million. They wanted me to concentrate on players up to the age of 23 in England and in Europe.


"I turned them down because of my loyalty to Glenn. I felt I hadn't yet done the job he wanted doing. So I wasn't going to leave a pal."


Ironically, as it turned out Roeder was struck down by a serious illness and, when he recovered, was sacked. Football is a tough, exciting, shocking, alluring companion and Paul Montgomery loves it.

Sounds like he could be very important in the next few weeks PS Has anyone from Barcelona contacted you yet Dave

[Steve67]

So, is Montgomery now actually at Villa?

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

So, is Montgomery now actually at Villa?

NEW Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is to be reunited with his former Birmingham City assistant Peter Grant following successful compensation talks between the clubs.


Birmingham threatened court action after McLeish’s resignation and controversial move to become Villa boss but the clubs have worked towards a financial compromise.

Villa’s decision to pay compensation for McLeish will now enable the Scot to bring in Grant as his No2 and former Birmingham man, Paul Montgomery, as chief scout.

It will also leave McLeish free to concentrate on the transfer market. Winger Stewart Downing is on the brink of an £18million switch to Liverpool which could lead McLeish to move for Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia and West Ham’s Scott Parker.

Hope that helps. Sunday Express Sun: 10:07:2011

[Steve67]

If we can believe that rags.  Cheers Walters Warriors, hopefully we've mad a very important signing in Montgomery and he already has players to nominate.

[mrfuse]

  I'd sell Downing for £20m, buy N'Zog, Given and Parker with the money.If we have any money over and he wants a striker i would rather we go after Sturridge more than Bentdner or Defoe tbh.

  I would rather we buy another wide player though with AYoung and Downing possibly going.

  Would love Canales on loan though.

exactly what i would like although i think they want to much money for sturidge but h is quality and will be worth twice as much in a few years.

So is the general opinion we have already spent Ashley Youngs money?

[tarzansbrother]

  I'd sell Downing for £20m, buy N'Zog, Given and Parker with the money.If we have any money over and he wants a striker i would rather we go after Sturridge more than Bentdner or Defoe tbh.

  I would rather we buy another wide player though with AYoung and Downing possibly going.

  Would love Canales on loan though.

exactly what i would like although i think they want to much money for sturidge but h is quality and will be worth twice as much in a few years.

So is the general opinion we have already spent Ashley Youngs money?

I think it's more like are Youngs reported £65k a week wages available to pay someone else?

[Redman]

  I'd sell Downing for £20m, buy N'Zog, Given and Parker with the money.If we have any money over and he wants a striker i would rather we go after Sturridge more than Bentdner or Defoe tbh.

  I would rather we buy another wide player though with AYoung and Downing possibly going.

  Would love Canales on loan though.

exactly what i would like although i think they want to much money for sturidge but h is quality and will be worth twice as much in a few years.

So is the general opinion we have already spent Ashley Youngs money?

Sort of, yes. I would guess your trouble appointing a new manager may have had something to do with limited spending power.

[Mazrim]

Some Sun journo reckons Given in by Tuesday and Parker is our top target or something.

[D.boy]

"Reckons" being the key word in that sentence.

[KevinGage]

  I'd sell Downing for £20m, buy N'Zog, Given and Parker with the money.If we have any money over and he wants a striker i would rather we go after Sturridge more than Bentdner or Defoe tbh.

  I would rather we buy another wide player though with AYoung and Downing possibly going.

  Would love Canales on loan though.

exactly what i would like although i think they want to much money for sturidge but h is quality and will be worth twice as much in a few years.

So is the general opinion we have already spent Ashley Youngs money?

That's the perception out there.  But similar things were said last Oct/ Nov (spent the best part of £30 mill on Makoun and Bent soon after) and in other summers prior to the shitstorm of 2010.

The General has (again) said that it's wages that were/ are the concern, not so much transfer fees.  But with a fair chunk of the deadwood off the books, things should be a bit easier in that regard.  Davies, Shorey, Sidwell all of the books since July 2010, combined with the likes of NRC, Friedel and Carew (who I wouldn't count as deadwood, as they actually made a decent contribution to the club during their time here) Not to mention of course Ash and Milner. Must easily be £20 million shaved off the wage bill with that lot, even accounting for the arrivals of Ireland, Makoun and Bent. 

Combined with the new £8.5 million per annum sponsorship deal and I'd say the wages>turnover ratio is in far better shape than the alarming state it had drifted out to under MON.

Also, when asked to clarify his quotes in the press about the Ashley Young money (ie that not all of it would be available) at the recent supporters forum, McLeish said it wouldn't be wise to show your hand to the media. Make of that what you will.

Pretty much any time these threads have gone into meltdown previously about lack of funding, sell to buy or any other bobbins the club have come through. They like to do their business on the quiet and keep the newspapers in the dark as much as possible. It's a pisser, in a way. And I do think it contributes to some of the negative press they get. But it's the way they've operated since 2006 for good or for ill, so we should be used to it by now.

Maybe the harbingers of doom are actually right this time, and we have finally pulled up the drawbridge re transfers and competing in general. Spending only what we generate (and perhaps not even that).   Personally, I'll wait until Sept 1st before I write them off. They have enough credit in the bank (no pun intended) based on previous form, so they at least deserve that much.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

It’s Park life for McLeish By DEAN SCOGGINS

Published: Today
 Add a comment (1) ALEX McLEISH will make his move for £6million Scott Parker this week.
Aston Villa's new boss is desperate to build a strong spine to his side - and landing West Ham midfield star Parker and £4m Manchester City keeper Shay Given, who is likely to sign tomorrow, is Big Eck's starting point.

Parker is also attracting interest from Arsenal, ex-club Chelsea and Everton.

But Villa are the first to swoop for the 30-year-old PFA Player of the Year.

The Midlanders are also standing firm in the face of two bids for Stewart Downing from Liverpool and alleged new interest from Arsenal.

One other boost for McLeish is Stephen Ireland pledging his future to the club after talks.

The midfielder, 24, who had a nightmare spell under Gerard Houllier, said: "I am feeling good. I just want a decent run. I need that."


 

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3687201/Alex-McLeish-will-make-his-move-for-6million-Scott-Parker-this-week.html#ixzz1RkYqFfMw

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I think Parker would cost more than £6m.

By the way, I thought the General didn't comment on playing matters.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

It’s Park life for McLeish By DEAN SCOGGINS

Published: Today
 Add a comment (1) ALEX McLEISH will make his move for £6million Scott Parker this week.
Aston Villa's new boss is desperate to build a strong spine to his side - and landing West Ham midfield star Parker and £4m Manchester City keeper Shay Given, who is likely to sign tomorrow, is Big Eck's starting point.

Parker is also attracting interest from Arsenal, ex-club Chelsea and Everton.

But Villa are the first to swoop for the 30-year-old PFA Player of the Year.

The Midlanders are also standing firm in the face of two bids for Stewart Downing from Liverpool and alleged new interest from Arsenal.

One other boost for McLeish is Stephen Ireland pledging his future to the club after talks.

The midfielder, 24, who had a nightmare spell under Gerard Houllier, said: "I am feeling good. I just want a decent run. I need that."


 

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3687201/Alex-McLeish-will-make-his-move-for-6million-Scott-Parker-this-week.html#ixzz1RkYqFfMw

All good stuff WW but it is the Sun!
Let's keep hoping!
We need to see some business done this week!

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I think Parker would cost more than £6m.

By the way, I thought the General didn't comment on playing matters.

Your value Rip?
Would we go to 10?
Compared with 20 for Downing, 6 certainly seems like chicken feed...but then I've never been a Downing fan!