Downing Completes Liverpool Transfer

[Chris Smith]

Just had a text saying that he had handed in a transfer request. Anyone else heard anything?

[KevinGage]

No animosity towards Stewpot, this is business.  An excellent price for a decent>good player. How much did we sign him for, £11 million wasn't it?

I must say I found it a bit odd that after one decent season, he gave that interview up north where he said he wouldn't be signing a new contract - and he wanted to play CL football ASAP. Maybe he'll surprise us all, but I don't think he's at that level.

I'm not even sure Milner is at that level TBH, and he's an infinitely better player than Downing.  I'd say both are a notch or two down from what you'd class as elite players. Both good enough to be big players for teams in and around 5-8th, but wouldn't be guaranteed starters for the sides directly above that.

[Mike Jeffries]

It's the number of our better players shifted in the last few summers, that makes this annoying.  But if players are determined to go they do now, simple as that. At least we appear to have stuck out for his market value (Crazy as that market is.........but, hell it's been like it for years now in truth). 

The weeks before the season starts are pretty big ones now alright, whatever happens the season ticket is bought - but I'd like a little cheer before we get the season started (Just a little........Though I'll clearly accept a lot more were it to appear). 

[Ger Regan]

Yeah he did Chris. Fuck him, although I'm not sure we can complain considering he did the same to come to us.

[pauliewalnuts]

Just had a text saying that he had handed in a transfer request. Anyone else heard anything?

The club have said he did, according to Kendrick

[JJ-AV]

We've been fucked over by Daglish.

Hopefully the board have learnt from the Ashley and Downing situations and 18 months into a four year deal an extention be offered. It doesn't matter, we need to get our better players tied down for long term contracts.

2 years left does not leave a club in a position of strength.

Positives, in theory this transfer fee (and the wages saved from Ash and Downing) could pay for a Parker and N'Zogbia.

[Eigentor]

The next few weeks are now (as if they weren't before this) absolutely massive for villa. Get the fucking finger out and start sorting some transfers.

True. This summer has started badly: Houllier replaced by McLeish; Friedel and NRC leaves; Young sold and now Downing. The club have to work hard to get the good feeling back.

[sg]

SSN reported the weasel handed in a transfer request, well that doesnt surprise me at all.

Downing you ****

[tarzansbrother]

By the way I think anything above 15m for Downing is a great deal. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......

In fairness. the three that have left (Young, Milner and Downing) all wanted to leave and when that happens, there's not much you can do. Let's not forget, he spent £24m in January, so before we start slagging Randy off, let's see how much he gives Eck to spend this time round.

Agree totally. Like Sunderland we now have money to buy players, over to the new manager.

[Redman]

Details along these lines will in be in The Times in about an hour:

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
Fee "in the region of £20m" but yet to be confirmed.
12 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
Downing put in a transfer request today to force the move through.
14 minutes ago

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
Villa will now move for Charles N'Zogbia, another winger who's just enjoyed a really good season.
16 minutes ago

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
#LFC make another statement of their intent by agreeing a £20m fee for Downing who was outstanding last season.
18 minutes ago

[Phil from the upper holte]

By the way I think anything above 15m for Downing is a great deal. Just didn't think this club would take the direction it has the last couple of seasons. I don't trust Lerner in the slightest with this club anymore, he's made tidy profits on selling our prized assets 3 years running now.......

In fairness. the three that have left (Young, Milner and Downing) all wanted to leave and when that happens, there's not much you can do. Let's not forget, he spent £24m in January, so before we start slagging Randy off, let's see how much he gives Eck to spend this time round.

To be fair he didn't have to spend anything when Mon walked out. We'd sold milner and one or two others, now we've sold young and downing. He must be loving it.

[richard moore]

Here's hoping we have the last laugh on him and Milner. I don't see the dippers finishing any higher than 5th purely because I don't see the players they have signed as being any better than the ones they will replace. And Milner will, I suspect, be a very peripheral figure this season at Man City...

[TheSandman]

TonyBarretTimes Tony Barrett
#LFC make another statement of their intent by agreeing a £20m fee for Downing who was outstanding last season.
18 minutes ago

Oh dear. I think I've wet myself.

[hilts_coolerking]

I agree with KG, I don't blame Downing at all.  It's pretty clear what the extent of our ambition is so at his age he wants a better chance of winning something.  What price Bent still being here in 18 months?

[Chris Smith]

It's the number of our better players shifted in the last few summers, that makes this annoying.  But if players are determined to go they do now, simple as that. At least we appear to have stuck out for his market value (Crazy as that market is.........but, hell it's been like it for years now in truth). 

The weeks before the season starts are pretty big ones now alright, whatever happens the season ticket is bought - but I'd like a little cheer before we get the season started (Just a little........Though I'll clearly accept a lot more were it to appear). 

Agree, Mike, we all need a bit of a lift now. Although you can guarantee that within 5 minutes of our next decent signing somebody will post that he'll be off to Man City in 2 years. Sadly, it will be difficult to argue with it.