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

[Toronto Villa]

Seems we may have Downing's replacement lined up. Quick translation from FiorentinaNews.com

According to a report tonight from SkySport24 Aston Villa's new manager Alex McLeish seems to have offered to Fiorentina twenty million to secure the services of Juan Manuel Vargas. An offer is very important that the Viola could consider, as this would allow capital gains Corvino to intervene in the market firmly.

Peruvian international, Viola captain and attacking midfieler. Interesting.

I'd be delighted if there was any truth to this Mark, and even more so if it came off. The guy is a bull on the left side of the park

[Rudy Can't Fail]

He's also bloody mental. Sounds like fun.

[Toronto Villa]

Yeh, he doesn't seem to shy away from contact does he? I could see Bent getting on the end of a lot of those crosses too. Lose Young and Downing, pick up N'Zogbia and Vargas. I like the sound of that!

[KevinGage]

Could it just be FiorentinaNews.com/ Sky Sport 24 running with the Mirror story?

Would love to see a deal of that magnitude (though I don't know a huge amount about the player in question)  but I couldn't see us spend £30 million combined on two left sided players - assuming the N'Zogba deal is in the latter stages of completion.

[KRS]

Dont know much about Vargas but a very exciting player if the rumours are true (80 appearances, 12 goals, no idea how many assists).

From his Wiki:
Vargas plays at left back, on the wing, or in the midfield, in both offensive and defensive positions. Vargas impresses with his ability to dribble the ball and make remarkable shots on goal. He is also known for his free kick ability and accurate crosses. His Fiorentina teammate Alberto Gilardino stated that Vargas is probably the best crosser he has played with.

...could be the attacking left back we need rather than an alternative to N'Zogbia. Vargas and N'Zogbia down the left, Albrighton down the right, with Bent and Gabby poaching the goals? Sounds bloody exciting stuff to me if we can score more than we concede!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Nice read in the Guardian which seems to confirm both N'Zogba and Given. SWP they can stick where the sun don't shine.

Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Charles N'Zogbia despite a late attempt by Sunderland to hijack the deal. N'Zogbia is regarded as a natural replacement for Stewart Downing, with Villa planning to spend around half of the £20m they have received from Liverpool on the Wigan Athletic winger.

Sunderland have belatedly entered the race and have faint hopes of persuading N'Zogbia to move to the Stadium of Light. Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, has coveted N'Zogbia for some time, although there is an acceptance that Villa are at the head of queue. Talks between Villa and Wigan are believed to be at an advanced stage and there is unlikely to be any problem with the personal terms. N'Zogbia is expected to agree a £65,000-a-week deal.

Newcastle United had a strong interest in bringing N'Zogbia back to Tyneside – the 25-year-old was with the club between 2004 and 2009 before joining Wigan for £6m – but Alan Pardew has conceded defeat. "I am told that Charles has got an imminent move, so I don't think that will be us," the Newcastle manager said.

Villa have still to conclude a deal for Shay Given, although they remain confident that it is only a matter of time before the 35-year-old goalkeeper moves to the Midlands. The delay is at the City end, with Given's representatives trying to reach an agreement over his settlement figure. The transfers involving Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland, who also moved from City to Villa, were held up for similar reasons.

Villa could yet move for another City player, with Shaun Wright-Phillips understood to be on their radar. Wright-Phillips is one of a number of players on the fringes that City have deemed surplus to requirements.

[Dante Lavelli]

Put my mind at ease people, can you name some other (all action) centre midfielders who were playing at the top level at the age of 33. Scholes is pretty much the only one I can think of recently. Hmm Giggs too. Obviously I'm trying to convince myself that Parker would be a good medium term signing.

[brontebilly]

I've come around to the idea Parker is worth swerving too. He is a good player and definitely captain material. But 7m for a 31 year old midfielder with injury problems is a risk considering the wages he would want. Barton is obviously a risk character wise but he seems to definitely want out of Newcastle and would come cheap and on reasonable wages. Barton is a very good player too and would likely give his utmost to prove Newcastle wrong.

I've never rated SWP, can see the attraction if his wages are reasonable and the price is bound to be. Bellamy on a free for a season would give us options in a 433 though we would need security in that dressing room to keep the peace. We will be brimful of Man City rejects then.

Think Wigan are doing well to get 10m for Nzogbia with a year left. A dodgy enough character but more talent than Downing I reckon and has more scope to improve.

Saw us linked to McGeady today. He seems a far better player since his move to Russia if his Irish appearances are anything to go by. A little pricey though.

[eastie]

Now mcleish has finances I wonder if he will make a move for Scott dann- wouldnt surprise me .

[Arsey]

We have bid £10mil for Charlie, just on Radio 5

[Caiphus]

Vargas?  I wish...

[D.boy]

Just a hyperthetical thought but re the delay over signing Given... maybe now we are at peace with the feckwits down the road Foster is back on the radar.
Nzogbia - get him in
Parker - would be a good spine of the team and a good player + a leader
Wells Vargas - don't know anything about him to be honest.

[The Laughing Policeman]

We have bid £10mil for Charlie, just on Radio 5

As is usual that will turn out to be the opening bid. What will we end up paying Wigan for him?
I seem to remember that last week they said the price is twenty million.

[mrfuse]

We have bid £10mil for Charlie, just on Radio 5

Also confirmed on Sky Sports

[TimTheVillain]

We have bid £10mil for Charlie, just on Radio 5

As is usual that will turn out to be the opening bid. What will we end up paying Wigan for him?
I seem to remember that last week they said the price is twenty million.

Whelan said that Newcastle offered £12 mill on the last day of the transfer window last season, but not enough time to get through.

Vergas and N'Zog, plus Parker would be amazing.