January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[TheSandman]

Here's a rumour about us from Sporting Life:

"Aston Villa are considering a £6m bid for Celtic playmaker Ki Sung-Yueng."

? ? ?

We were heavily linked with him in the summer.

He's a good player, very creative and has also improved his defensive game. He's won South Korean player of the year just recently ahead of Park from United. However, it is only the SPL so not sure how he would cut it in the premiership and the one I'd want from Celtic's midfield is Kayal though I'd probably rank both as the players in Scotland most likely to make a go of it in England.

[JUAN PABLO]

Kieron Richardson to Arsenal ?   that would free up money for MON for Collins

[Mazrim]

At the end of the day, if the club don't really want to sell him, they just need to reject any offers.

If we don't, where does this end?

Well if Randy wants to keep selling I say carry on until he's sold the entire club.

[JJ-AV]

I expect him to go. The tactics don't suit him, we can get similar quality for half the fee we'll receive and we've no money to invest elsewhere.

People say Randy has changed since pre-MON, but I think it's more recent than that. The singings last January and the targets Houllier had lined up suggest money was there then. I think it changed post Houllier's departure.

Maybe having to pay MON compensation was the final straw for Randy.

[Mister E]

I expect him to go. The tactics don't suit him, we can get similar quality for half the fee we'll receive and we've no money to invest elsewhere.

People keep saying that there's "similar" quality out there - who? All I've seen are rumours about Cole and Zamora; hardly setting the pulse racing. All the clubs are after a proven goalscorer - there ain't many out there!

People say Randy has changed since pre-MON, but I think it's more recent than that. The singings last January and the targets Houllier had lined up suggest money was there then. I think it changed post Houllier's departure.

Maybe RL's reluctance to stick with GHou was precisely because of the proposed signings, rather than as you see it. Maybe the money was not available for GHou's 'grand plan'.

Maybe having to pay MON compensation was the final straw for Randy.

Undoubtedly.

[Chris Smith]

I expect him to go. The tactics don't suit him, we can get similar quality for half the fee we'll receive and we've no money to invest elsewhere.

People say Randy has changed since pre-MON, but I think it's more recent than that. The singings last January and the targets Houllier had lined up suggest money was there then. I think it changed post Houllier's departure.

Maybe having to pay MON compensation was the final straw for Randy.

Signings for the last 18 months have all been in tandem with players going out, nothing has changed. Houllier allegedly lining up some signings is not the same as convincing the board to shell out for them. You're just twisting things to suit your stance.

[Dave Clark Five]

As for the Bent to Liverpool rumour I believe it's media hype from certain Liverpool loving journos. I heard that they only have a budget of £10m and are trying for Jelavic from Rangers, which makes sense considering the dosh they spent in the summer which hasn't got them very far has it?

Here's a rumour about us from Sporting Life:

"Aston Villa are considering a £6m bid for Celtic playmaker Ki Sung-Yueng."

? ? ?

Celtic ace Ki Sung-Yueng a January target for Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish
Jan 4 2012 Exclusive by Keith Jackson


ASTON VILLA boss Alex McLeish is considering a raid on Celtic for South Korean playmaker Ki Sung-Yueng.
Record Sport understands McLeish is a massive admirer of the 22-year-old and has penned Ki’s name on to a list of his top targets for the current transfer window.
McLeish has also been highly impressed by another of Neil Lennon’s midfield lynchpins, Beram Kayal, but believes he has a better chance of luring Ki south this month and has opened talks at Villa Park about piecing together a big-money bid.
The Premiership outfit will not match the kind of cash mega-rich Russians Rubin Kazan were willing to offer for Ki in August when it was rumoured they were ready to weigh in with an £8million bid.
McLeish, though, might be willing to go as high as £6m – not least because of the glowing personal recommendation given to him by his own right-hand man Peter Grant.
Former Hoops coach Grant has endorsed the plan having worked with Ki during his stint as Tony Mowbray’s No.2 at Celtic.
Grant believes the youngster has the ability to become one of the most prestigious talents in England’s top flight and has urged McLeish to make a move.
Ki has replaced Rangers skipper Steve Davis on McLeish’s list of targets. The former Ibrox boss made an official enquiry about Davis at the end of the summer but his interest in the star has cooled.
A source close to the Midlands club said: “Ki and Kayal are the two players in the SPL Alex has been most impressed by.
“He believes Ki might be available in January and is considering a bid but he will not match the money offered by the Russians.”
McLeish is also in Pole position to land Robbie Keane on a two-month loan deal from LA Galaxy, with Celtic also monitoring the hitman’s situation.
Meanwhile, Hoops face a fight to land Baba Diawara after super-rich Chinese club Beijing Guoan entered the race for his signature.

[MonsXI]

Ki is a very nice centre mid, surely spell the end for Delph though?

[Dave Clark Five]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWCz5Btjr1M&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Looks ok on here. Strikes a ball well.

[Percy McCarthy]

Some people wouldn't mind us selling Bent because they don't rate him. It's not 'utter madness' or 'taking leave of their senses', it's an opinion about a player. Harry Redknapp is held in high regard as a judge of players on here, he didn't rate him. Is he mad?

[kippaxvilla2]

On something loosely related, anyone know why Barry didn't take the penalty?

[PaulWinch again]

I said it when he was on a free in the summer, but we definitely should have signed Ba.

[PeterWithesShin]

I'm guessing that with Gabby, Bent, Fonz and Weimann a striker wasn't top of our list. Plus weren't there some doubts over his longterm fitness?

[PaulWinch again]

There were, but ever since he came into the Premier League he has looked very good.

[Risso]

When was the last time we signed a bargain who's gone on to do really well?