January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[Small Rodent]

Could we field a team with 11 different nationalities and a British Isles team?

Could do that without Keane.

[dave.woodhall]

We could field a team of 11 full internationals, plus subs, in their relevant positions (this is a bit of a cheat as Shane Lowry would be a sub, as he was for Australia once).

[Matt C]

Apparently, Sky sports oh so reliable sources have said that QPR have bid £5m for Samba.

If that is accepted we should be in for him at that price.

I'd say at least half the PL would be saying the same thing.

Indeed. Samba can do better than QPR I'd suggest.

[Dave]

If we'd really wanted to, could we not have done that anyway?

Given
Hutton
Dunne
Collins
Warnock
N'Zogbia
Petrov
Clark
Bannan
Agbonlahor
Bent

Guzan
Lichaj
Beye
Jenas
Ireland
Makoun
Heskey

[Shoody]

If we get £30m for Bent, which I sincerely hope does not happen, then I'd be looking at Alex for CB and a midfielder this window - maybe Diame.  That should leave a good chunk for a replacement striker, who I'd be prepared to wait until the summer for if necessary.

Who was that striker from Germany we were linked with the other day?

It was Lucas Barrios wasnt it? That will never ever happen unfortunately

If we get £30m for Bent my dream January/Summer would be:

In
Samba £5m-ish
Etienne Capoue £7m
Benjamin Corgnet £6m
Moussa Sow £12m
Clyne (tribunal)
M'Bengue £6m

Out
Bent £30m
Collins £5m
Warnock £3m
Petrov £3m (unfortunately)

Would give us a solid spine I reckon. We may even be a better team for it.

                  Given
Clyne  Samba  Dunne  M'Bengue
                 Capoue
           Corgnet   Ireland
Albrighton                 Nzogbia
                   Sow

And a decent Bench: Guzan, Clark, Stevens, Herd, Gabby, Bannan, Gardner

would certainly be capable of finishing 7th and challenging Everton, Newcastle and Sunderland for the 'Best of The Rest' Trophy.

I dont want us to sell Bent, but If we somehow managed to swindle £30m+ for him and it was all reinvested into the team (it wont be). And we used it to get in some [relatively] cheap quality from abroad (we wouldnt) then it could be good for the club. But hopefully we keep him.

Instead, we'll sell Bent for £22m and sign Keane on loan, Steven Davis and/or Craig Gardner.

[JJ-AV]

Sow's gone to Turkey I think

[LeeB]

Sow's gone to Turkey I think

Well I'm sure they'll reap the benefits.

[taylorsworkrate]

Sow's gone to Turkey I think

Well I'm sure they'll reap the benefits.

Clappy thing.

[JJ-AV]

Haha. Very good.

Completely away from us, 'cos we'll never get him. But Redknapp has  just publicly announced that Demba Ba has a release clause (rumoured to be £5m) in his contract.

Wouldn't surprise me as when he signed for West Ham he insisted he got a release on a free clause if they got relegated.

[Dante Lavelli]

You reckon that Etienne Capoue would only be 7m?  He'd be a great signing.
I'd add Hoillet to the list (who Keen said can go this window) for say 8m.
Clyne for about 3m

A centre back and a left back would also be required in the summer but I haven't a clue who.

                Given
Clyne   Collins  Dunne  Warnock
          Capoue    Clarke   
                Ireland
Nzogbia                    Hoillet
                Gabby

[Rick_avfc]

Spurs are interested in Hoilett so I can see him (if spurs put in a bid for him) going there.  We, on the hand, have to sell to buy and cant see RL forking out the cash to get him now.
Even if both Villa and Spurs had bids accepted, he would choose spurs as they are showing real ambition especailly as they are challenging for the title and look certain to be playing champions league football.  We will be challenging for 8th spot at best the way we are going.

[UK Redsox]

Out
Bent £30m
Collins £5m
Warnock £3m
Petrov £3m (unfortunately)

£5 for Collins and £3m each for  Warnock/Petrov ?

I can't see any of them fetching half that much

[Rick_avfc]

Out
Bent £30m
Collins £5m
Warnock £3m
Petrov £3m (unfortunately)

£5 for Collins and £3m each for  Warnock/Petrov ?

I can't see any of them fetching half that much

£5m for Collins is realistic I think.  He has 18months left on his contract and is a first team regular.  Warnock on the other hand is defo worth £3m as he is one big liability

[dave.woodhall]

If we'd really wanted to, could we not have done that anyway?

Given
Hutton
Dunne
Collins
Warnock
N'Zogbia
Petrov
Clark
Bannan
Agbonlahor
Bent

Guzan
Lichaj
Beye
Jenas
Ireland
Makoun
Heskey

You can't count Makoun (on loan out) if you count Jenas (on loan in).

[old man villa fan]

Villa will cover Keane's £42,000-a-week wages during his time at the club and there is also expected to be a loan fee in the region of £500,000.

From the Guardian.

Such a lazy signing. That's almost a million quid for someone who'll play for eight games. Surely we could invest that better?

Thats not to say that he will be play all 8 games and I'd be very surprised if he gets more than a few sub appearances let alone play a full 90 minutes. In a time where the club is cutting costs all over the place this has to be one of the most ridiculous decisions I've ever known by the club. It just doesnt make sense whatever way you look at it.

Totally agree with you.

What is the point in spending this money for a short-term fix.  Or is McLeish really worried about relegation.