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

[tarzansbrother]

We absolutely have to buy or loan in a central midfielder, presumably cheaper. Aside from foreign signings, which I'd be surprised by, I can only really think of: jenas, diame, palacios if he's not gone already, maybe that guy who plays for Celtic - Moroccan I think? Kayal or something?

Hitzelberger?

[ozzjim]

Wigan would want the earth for Diame this late in the window, although would be a good signing. Tommy Hitz should have been signed 3 weeks ago IMO. Cheap enough option and experienced. If we could not afford him on a signing on fee and a pretty standard wage, then we are in big trouble.

[Villanation]

TBH I'm very surprised, not just another player going but the fact we haven't immediately plugged the gap at the very same time.

Its said 2 are on the way, i doubt that will be enough, Benayoun is twittering that his agent is talking to a number of Premiership clubs, I would say good signing if we are one of the clubs in there and would give us the much needed 3rd of the signings coming in the next few days.

If not and we sign nobody then I think Mr Lerner and Co will need to explain a few things Alex McLiesh is one thing, combine that with a total lack of ambition and that really is a nail in the coffin.

[PaulTheVillan]

Wigan have a decent couple of centre midfielders. They would want the earth correct.

[dave.woodhall]

We absolutely have to buy or loan in a central midfielder, presumably cheaper. Aside from foreign signings, which I'd be surprised by, I can only really think of: jenas, diame, palacios if he's not gone already, maybe that guy who plays for Celtic - Moroccan I think? Kayal or something?

Hitzelberger?

Wolfsburg.

[Lowendbehold]

With the squad looking thinner by the day ,

Thin? The squad looks positively anorexic!

In: Given, N'Zogbia

Out: A Young, L Young, Downing, Makoun (Loan), Carew, Pires, Reo-Coker, Hogg, Osbourne, Salifou, Weimann (Loan) and possibly Beye

Have I missed anyone? If I have I bet they were 'out' and not 'in'; this is ridiculous!

Friedel?

I think that might amount to a saving of say £15m on the wage bill?

In context our turnover at June 2010 was £109m.  But didn't someone say wages were 80/85% of turnover?  Are they not supposed to be about 60/65%?  Doesn't 20% of £109m = £21.8m?

Oh dear!

I think it is a lot more than 15 million.

Hope so.  But it can't be that much more.  I did say a saving, after allowing for the two in, and certainly does allow much for anyone else coming in.  Worrying!

[BedsVillain]

Diame is also in the last year of his contract, offer £4m so they don't lose him for nowt?

[Steve67]

I hope I am wrong but I can't help feeling that Bentner is on his way to VP.  As for Makoun leaving, no worries, we have super Heskey for attacking midfield, oh joy!! Benayoun would do a job for us. Hargreaves is an accident waiting to happen and we'd need to sign at least two of him just in case. Beye to Hull, or, anyone, would be great.

[tarzansbrother]

We absolutely have to buy or loan in a central midfielder, presumably cheaper. Aside from foreign signings, which I'd be surprised by, I can only really think of: jenas, diame, palacios if he's not gone already, maybe that guy who plays for Celtic - Moroccan I think? Kayal or something?

Hitzelberger?

Wolfsburg.

Missed that deal.

[citizenDJ]

Diame is also in the last year of his contract, offer £4m so they don't lose him for nowt?

Good player, Diame. Well worth a punt.

[Villanation]

I hope I am wrong but I can't help feeling that Bentner is on his way to VP.  As for Makoun leaving, no worries, we have super Heskey for attacking midfield, oh joy!! Benayoun would do a job for us. Hargreaves is an accident waiting to happen and we'd need to sign at least two of him just in case. Beye to Hull, or, anyone, would be great.

Bentner is a waste of a shirt, Benayoun would be a terrific signing, have to say Hargreaves would be the best player Villa have taken on in many a new moon, could work wonders for us under the right terms and deal, this is a player that would merit a place in some of the worlds best teams if not for this fitness stigma.

Worth the gamble.

[Dante Lavelli]

In the last few days we've lost/losing Makoun, Young and Beye all of which are on say £45k per week, plus Weimann and Hogg on say £10k. That's approximately £140-160k per week. That could get us one proper Milner-esque quality player and one or two Hutton-esque players.

Admittedly that's only looking at the recent history but McLeish appears to be doing his bit by reducing the squad now we need Randy to back him like he has the other mangers.

[Phil from the upper holte]

Bet makoun is gutted, swapping our bench for champions league. I personally think we have made a fuck up.

[Villanation]

In the last few days we've lost/losing Makoun, Young and Beye all of which are on say £45k per week, plus Weimann and Hogg on say £10k. That's approximately £140-160k per week. That could get us one proper Milner-esque quality player and one or two Hutton-esque players.

Admittedly that's only looking at the recent history but McLeish appears to be doing his bit by reducing the squad now we need Randy to back him like he has the other mangers.

I wouldn't mind esque, and he wouldn't cost a fortune.

[Lowendbehold]

I think Ireland, Cuellar and Beye are probably earning circa £6m pa.

That would certainly get the wage to turnover sorted.  Get rid and get someone in.