January Transfer Speculation (or lack of) Thread

[Rick_avfc]

I like the Ki-Sung Yeung speculation. I think he's a good central midfielder that could thrive in the Prem. He's confident on the ball and very composed, he has a great eye for long passes on the floor and has a hell of a shot. I'd take Wanyama too.

Wanyama turned us down to go Celtic so cant see that happening any time soon

[garyshawsknee]

Isn't Drogba off to Africa for a month or so? Or has he retired?

[Rick_avfc]

Isn't Drogba off to Africa for a month or so? Or has he retired?

He's defo off to africa for the tournament out there.

[Merv]

Apparently, Josh McEachran will be deciding within the next 24hrs whether he wants to come to villa or swansea on loan.  I dont really know much about him, what is his natural position?

The bench.

Exactly. Forget about Keane, who could do a short-term job for us. Really don't understand going in for McEachran, a young central midfielder, when we have enough young central midfielders as it is... Swansea interest, with Brendan Rogers' Chelsea background, makes more sense.

BTW, a colleague of mine - Leicester City season ticket holder - claimed yesterday we'd offered £6m for Andy King, which I dismissed as idle gossip.

[Duncan Shaw]

Wasn't £500k the extra amount we wouldn't pay Wolves for Keane back in the day?
Oh the irony........

[cheltenhamlion]

If we signed McEachran, his position would be right in the way of Gary Gardner. Why give their players experience at the expense of our own?

[PaulTheVillan]

I thought Cahill was off for £8mill, in that case £3mill for Collins is great for us.

Cahill's going for £7m and if Collins also had 6 months left on his contract I'd take the £3m.

Collins has 18 months left

[Toronto Villa]

As for Keane - 750k for 6 matches. If we have trouble with our wage bill then that is complete and utter insanity and Paul Faulkner as CEO should be putting the kybosh on it!

Is that right - where did you hear it?

He's reportedly on £35k a week in America, so even if we're paying it all, which I doubt we are, then for 2 months that's only £280k.  I know there will be a loan fee and insurance costs involved, but even then I can't see £750k being right? 

Loan fee and insurance bump according to Kendrick in the mail. It is ridiculous amounts!

He says between £500k and £750k, but then in another part of the same article:-

Villa’s loan swoop for Robbie Keane is in the balance as the club weigh up whether a two-month deal costing up to a quarter-of-a-million pounds would be value for money.

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/01/05/aston-villa-transfer-update-robbie-keane-deal-is-in-the-balance-no-move-for-tottenham-star-97319-30064204/

Seems to be a bit conflicting, but if it is £750k or near it I'd so it's not worth the money.

Thing is if we are going to analyze every transfer in that manner, then the £4m we paid for Harewood after insurance, agents, signing bonus etc etc was more like £6m, and Darren Bent was probably initially £22m or thereabouts. My point being that with any transfer it's never just about the transfer fee or reported wage. There's always going to be hidden amounts that are never disclosed or taken into initial consideration. Taking a player on loan means that there is no commitment beyond the end of the deal. That, I imagine to the club as they are sorting out the house is more important than what might appear an inflated short term amount.

The one other thing to consider is that this is PL football we a talking about. They are all overpaid, and whether any deals we do in January are short or long term, we'll always be discussing the club shelling out stupid money.

[Concrete John]

I agree with your general point, Toronto, but when weighing up a deal the club should be looking at the overall cost and not just the headline transfer fee.  £750k for 2 months of Robbie Keane is too much, IMO.

[pauliewalnuts]

I agree with your general point, Toronto, but when weighing up a deal the club should be looking at the overall cost and not just the headline transfer fee.  £750k for 2 months of Robbie Keane is too much, IMO.

Indeed.

That is, after all, what they've been telling us for a while now - it isn't just the transfer fee, it is about the wage bill.

[Fernando Partridge]

If we signed McEachran, his position would be right in the way of Gary Gardner. Why give their players experience at the expense of our own?

I agree totally theres no need to bring him in (unless we are buying the player) Gardner is as good if not better . i'd rather have us loan Gael Kakuta. Essentially we are developing other clubs talents- walker last season from spurs for example and we only reap short term benefits

[PaulWinch again]

I will be annoyed if Gardner is knocked down the pecking order by McEachran.

[Fernando Partridge]

Keane and Drogba up front would be amazing .....in 2007!
Andy Johnson would be better signing than either

[ozzjim]

Looking at the lad linked from Celtic, at his age, with his reputation it would be a decent punt for 5 million or so. Exactly the age and type we should be after. Not 34 year old Drogba and 31 year old Keane. Would you pay 120k a game for Robbie Keane, which is what we would be doing? No chance.

[pedro25]

Centre mid we have plenty of young options with Clark, Gardner, Herd, Bannan and Delph, with Petrov, Ireland and Makoun (from next season onwards) as experienced options.  Out wide we have just N'Zogbia and Albrighton, so I think a wideman is more of a priority.  Someone like Kakuta on loan would be fine or Hoillett on a permanent deal would be superb.