Summer Transfer Thread: Speculation, Lies, Absolute Cr*p and Bosman Rumours

[Phil from the upper holte]

Disillusioned? Why? We got rid of a bag of shite manager and brought in an up and coming manager if thats how he feels (probably paper talk) then maybe he should move on

[PaulTheVillan]

Matt Phillips from Blackpool?

Yes please.

[Concrete John]

I think Ayala would be a good signing also.

However, the whole article seems to be space filler where they're linking us with players that either played for Bertie before or he has previously tried to sign.

[nigel]

Matt Phillips from Blackpool?

Yes please.

Yes, and the lad Snodgrass would be a useful addition too.

[Dave P]

Do remember that this story is in the Mirror and they have probably done their usual pull a team and pull a player out of a hat.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

Matt Phillips from Blackpool?

Yes please.

Would love Phillips here, looks increasingly likely that we'll sign Bellamy-Lite from Norwich though.

[mal]

The only Irish player I'd listen to offers for is Stephen Ireland. Given and Dunne are good enough for The Premier League and I'd take Robbie Keane back in a heartbeat.

Then you're clearly mental. Keane and Dunne have no place at Villa, Given is getting on in age and Ireland is our best player who we should build a team around.

Keane and Dunne: Harsh verdict, but fair. Given is getting on, and just when I thought you were making sense you go and say something completely mental. I'd rather have Downing or Davis back than keep Ireland. That McCleish was the only one of three managers that rated him says it all.

[BedsVillain]

If QPR want to pay £3m for Given I'd take it like a shot. Don't get me wrong I think Shay is still decent but you can see last night that even some of his legendary shot stopping skills are on the wane. I'd take the money if I were Lambo and put it towards John Ruddy, he's into the last year of his contract, I think, so shouldn't cost the earth. If we offer him half of Given's wages I imagine he will double his money from Norwich and at only 25 he could be the best investment we make!

[Concrete John]

For those who keep mentioning Given's age, weren't we saying the same thing about Big Brad this time last year, yet he went on to be No 1 for a better team than us.

[N'ZMAV]

I'm losing a bit of faith in Shay Given. Why not flog him, sign Craig Gordon on a free and another GK, maybe Ben Foster?

[Holy Trinity]

For those who keep mentioning Given's age, weren't we saying the same thing about Big Brad this time last year, yet he went on to be No 1 for a better team than us.

there is a world of difference between a keeper who almost never misses a game to a keeper who almost never plays a full season, goal keeper is the most key position on the park and to chop and change due to givens lack of fitness is really stupid, if we get an offer we should 100% sell we will receive a fee around what we paid, will take 60k off the wage bill and end up with a much younger keeper who is much less injury prone, there is a very good reason man city got shot of him and at the time it wasn't because hart was a better keeper as at the time he returned from blues he wasn't. but because they could see no point persevering with with a 30+ injury prone keeper.

[tomd2103]

For those who keep mentioning Given's age, weren't we saying the same thing about Big Brad this time last year, yet he went on to be No 1 for a better team than us.

there is a world of difference between a keeper who almost never misses a game to a keeper who almost never plays a full season, goal keeper is the most key position on the park and to chop and change due to givens lack of fitness is really stupid, if we get an offer we should 100% sell we will receive a fee around what we paid, will take 60k off the wage bill and end up with a much younger keeper who is much less injury prone, there is a very good reason man city got shot of him and at the time it wasn't because hart was a better keeper as at the time he returned from blues he wasn't. but because they could see no point persevering with with a 30+ injury prone keeper.

Couldn't agree more.  I like Shay Given and he has been a top performer for a long time, but if a decent offer comes in (QPR linked with him again today) I would also sell.     

[JUAN PABLO]

I like Given , and still think hes a great goalie .  But If we could replace him with ruddy with cheaper wages I would take that .

[Percy McCarthy]

Who's Bellamy-lite?

[supertom]

Given's quality but selling him and replacing him with Foster, who's in his prime makes sense. Also Foster was superb last season.