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

[TaxDodger]

Whittingham came back from his holidays and told his mates he was going back to Villa. I think I posted it a couple of weeks back. Also this has been up for over a week now

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10265~23544,00.html

It's not actually on the website though is it? And you can make one for all of our former players.

Gareth Barry

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10265~5502,00.html

Ashley Young

http://www.avfc.co.uk/page/PlayerProfiles/0,,10265~23776,00.html

[Karl Bridges]

Ah, OK. Had no idea about that. He has been telling people he's signing for Villa though.

[Karl Bridges]

Timothy Abraham says we've also been looking at Tranquillo Barnetta on a free. Looks like he's staying in Germany though.

[KRS]

It's on Twitter that we've signed defensive midfielder Karim El Ahmadi from Feyenoord for €2.8m. Anyone seen him play?

From Wiki

On 26th June, 2012, it was announced that El Ahmadi would transfer to English Premier League club Aston Villa for a fee of 2.8m Euros, joining the club as newly appointed manager Paul Lamberts first transfer signing. El Ahmadi was entering the final year of his 5 year deal with Feyenoord and manager Koeman admitted the offer was 'too good to refuse' for the club.

Looks decent and the kind of player we've been missing in midfield.
Hes a very busy who wants the ball...good vision, passing ability and an eye for goal.
Looks a bit lightweight but not afraid to put a challenge in.
Only downside is that he is very very much only right footed.

Clips on YouTube:

[Phil from the upper holte]

I'm not that familiar with Karim El Ahmadi but if that's who Lambert thinks can do a job then thats ok with me, low cost gamble. I think this is the kind of player he's going to be going for but to be honest I'm sick of these billy big bollocks players, Id rather have someone here that wants to be here and wants to play

[Ads]

A Feyenoord fan says he is on big wages at 17k Euros a week.

[Mister E]

So, if true Lambert has three experienced new MF - Holman, Whitts and El Ahmadi - for not a lot in terms of transfer fees. All mid-to-late 20's.
I've no idea how they will all fair but I like the under-stated nature of these signings. And, as Ozz says above, it's a framework in which to exploit the younger squad-members' talents; as long as they get good chances to play rather than cameo roles.

Need to sort out the defence, now.

[Big Dick Edwards]

Only downside is that he is very very much only right footed.

Clark, Bannan and Delph are all left footed so a right footed midfielder won't go amiss.

[N'ZMAV]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karim_El_Ahmadi

His Wiki....

FeyenoordOn April 16, 2008, it was announced that El Ahmadi signed a 5-year deal with Dutch giants Feyenoord for the price tag of 5 million euros.

El Ahmadi was struck with an injury, delaying his debut in the shirt of Feyenoord. He made his debut as a substitute in the UEFA Cup-match against Kalmar FF, which Feyenoord won 2–1. He made his debut in the starting line-up against NEC, which ended in a 0–2 home defeat.

On 26th June, 2012, it was announced that El Ahmadi would transfer to English Premier League club Aston Villa for a fee of 2.8m Euros, joining the club as newly appointed manager Paul Lamberts first transfer signing. El Ahmadi was entering the final year of his 5 year deal with Feyenoord and manager Koeman admitted the offer was 'too good to refuse' for the club.

[UK Redsox]

The transfer "announcement" on Wiki is not sourced.

[N'ZMAV]

I don't believe it.

[JUAN PABLO]

well I put are you a villa player on his facebook page , didnt answer , just deleted my post... lol

[Concrete John]

I'd imagine the link with the Feyenoord player is probably true, even if the Wiki entry of him actually signing is premature.  After the link to the DCM at Ajax the other week, it seems highly plausible that Bertie has rightly identified that as a weakness in the team and also that he sees value from the smaller European leagues, like Holland.

Whittingham I'm unsure about as I think he's found his level in the Championship and would just be ordinary back in the PL.  An OK signing if we're trying to tread water in midtable, but not the type of player to help us climb back towards the Euro places.

[Irish villain]

Somebody has to post it so I will. ITSOTP

[rutski]

I'd imagine the link with the Feyenoord player is probably true, even if the Wiki entry of him actually signing is premature.  After the link to the DCM at Ajax the other week, it seems highly plausible that Bertie has rightly identified that as a weakness in the team and also that he sees value from the smaller European leagues, like Holland.

Whittingham I'm unsure about as I think he's found his level in the Championship and would just be ordinary back in the PL.  An OK signing if we're trying to tread water in midtable, but not the type of player to help us climb back towards the Euro places.

stop it john!