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

[PeterWithesShin]

McGrath was also 2 years younger than King. Folks seem to forget McGrath was 29 when we signed him.

[Matt C]

Two signings in place by 2 July, times are a-changin'.

[eastie]

Ledley king is nowhere near as good as paul mcgrath was though!

[Ryu]

I hope we do sign Clyne.

Same here.

[supertom]

I hope we do sign Clyne.

Same here.

Same here. Good attacking fullback. I wanted us to sign him 3 years ago when we played Palace. He was impressive. He'll likely have come on defensively too.

[villadelph]

I hope we do sign Clyne.

Same here.

Same here. Good attacking fullback. I wanted us to sign him 3 years ago when we played Palace. He was impressive. He'll likely have come on defensively too.

Some sources on Twitter (I know, I know..) who are usually on top of things are confident Villa will land Clyne. Really excited by this, not only because it means we get someone who can actually play in the back, but also because the dead weight can't-hack-it's will be on their way out.

[Holte L2]

McGrath was also 2 years younger than King. Folks seem to forget McGrath was 29 when we signed him.

Good point. King was just a typing outloud suggestion, but you're all right. Plus, we can't allow any margin for error if we sign another centre back. Taking into account Dinner and Collins form and wages.

[ozzjim]

I hope we do sign Clyne.

Same here.

Same here. Good attacking fullback. I wanted us to sign him 3 years ago when we played Palace. He was impressive. He'll likely have come on defensively too.

Some sources on Twitter (I know, I know..) who are usually on top of things are confident Villa will land Clyne. Really excited by this, not only because it means we get someone who can actually play in the back, but also because the dead weight can't-hack-it's will be on their way out.

Others suggest he is nailed on for West Ham. Moose at Talk sport for example.

Interesting to see what happens, but guess it is some way off yet.

Being linked with Yacine Brahimi on twitter too, who looks some talent on scout a footballer you know little about TV (youtube).

[N'ZMAV]

King could have been awesome if he didn't get injured so much. Shame really.

[nigel]

I wonder if  PL would consider to risk a young back 4 in:
Lichaj, Clark, Baker and Stevens behind a strong, energetic and experienced midfield?

3 first have experience and Stevens looks pretty good in the reserves, although I admit that I haven't seen him play apart from on AVTV

We'd get absolutely destroyed.

I would expect paul to strengthen the back 4 before the season starts and maybe even a centra half and two new full backs, the players mentioned are useful back up options but not 1st choices in my opinion, apart from clark who is probably ready for it.

I think he will too.
I was just putting  a different option into the mixer.
I also reckon we'd need experience in the back 4, but, I reckon that 4 would do better than many would make out with a strong, experienced midfield.
You have to remember that our midfield was extemely weak last season, which was a big factor in our defence struggling.

[ozzjim]

I would like us to stick with the plans to sign the french lad for left back and Douglas at centre half with Collins going and Clark and Baker being first reserves/ challenging Dunne, before he goes next summer. Get that Brahini fella in too, and we would suddenly look like a real threat going forward with pace through the side.

[nigel]

Copied this from AVillaFan.

July 2, 2012 at 18:15


I (not me) work in a junior capacity for a well known newspaper (in the sports dept). We understand that following enquiries were made by one Aston Villa representative to other clubs in June 2012.

Whilst I trust the source of this information, the paper cannot publish until it has sufficient information to print.
 
1) Pavel Pogrebnyak (failed)
 2) Brad Guzan (failed, new club tba)
 3) Kyle Naughton (failed, expected to bid again)
 4) Nat Clyne (failed, expected to bid again)
 5) Johnny Gorman (accepted in principle, loan arrangement being negotiated)
 6) El Ahmadi (signed)
 7) Dedrick Boyata (failed, expected to bid again).

[andyh]

Certainly don't want King.
We should have learned from the last croc we took from Spurs.

 I would hope we have moved on from having to do stuff like that.

[Summers]

I'd fucking love us to sign Boyata.  Naughton and Clyne too.

PavPog woulda been good, but his wage demands were crazy. His deal at Reading is so high.

[hartman_1982]

King could have been awesome if he didn't get injured so much. Shame really.

The best English centre back of his generation. A shame.