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

[supertom]

I realise this may come back to bite me, (and hopefully it does), but does it not seem Lambert's transfer targets are the same as they would have been had he stayed at Norwich? Young, decent lower-league players and foreign players proven at a level below the Premier League all available for a couple of million a pop...I know we haven't got big bucks to spend but I would have thought there might be a couple of proven "name" signings.

Generally, bigger transfers tend to happen later in the window. I'd guess Lamberts thinking might also be that we have a few big names already at the club. We've got high earners with big reps (for better or worse) like Given, Dunne, Ireland, N Zog, Gabby, Bent. His ethos with may be to keep certain of the above (notably Bent) and to build the rest of the side with the players who'll come in and fit into how he wants to play, and relish the step up. I'm quite happy for him to still use the shopping list he was drawing up for Norwich. Budget wise we can't afford too many more big established names without shedding 3-4 high earners.

Looking at things, Lambert might be thinking we need 5-6 new faces at the sort of 2-3 mill mark as opposed to just a couple of 5-10mill+ players. I'm happy for us to steer clear of the O Neill style of transfer right now. We're in a bit of a mess because of it. I mean as an example, Sidwell at 5 million, pretty much off the back of one good season at Reading, and on big wages because we got him from Chelsea. Total rip off and we could have spent half that in fee and half (maybe less) on wages for someone better in the championship or league 1. Or abroad.
I quite like how we're doing things at the moment. There's a bit of mystery, where-as largely, players like Harewood, Heskey, Beye, we knew exactly what we were in for. Lambert won't pay silly money for lower league players either like we did for Delph and Davies.

[Matt C]

'Villa Want Cresswell' - from Sky Sports: http://t.co/ulmff1Cz

Sky Sports understands Aston Villa are targeting Ipswich Town defender Aaron Cresswell.

The 22-year-old's impressive performances last season as he made 46 appearances in all competitions have brought him to the attention of new Villa boss Paul Lambert.

And as the Scot sets about remodelling the struggling squad he has inherited from Alex McLeish, Cresswell has emerged as a target.

The former Tranmere trainee only signed a new contract at Ipswich last October, which keeps him under terms at Portman Road until 2015, after initially arriving last July.

But Villa could be prepared to buy Cresswell out of the deal following his eye-catching displays in the Championship.

[Sexual Ealing]

We're after Cresswell? Seems like a Lambert type of signing.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/7931078/Villa-want-Cresswell

Off topic. Yellow card.

[Matt C]

Mirror reporting it too: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-target-aaron-cresswell-1163547

[villadelph]

We're after Cresswell? Seems like a Lambert type of signing.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/7931078/Villa-want-Cresswell

Off topic. Yellow card.

psh, bleh.

[Concrete John]

The signings of clubs like Norwich or Newcastle are what we've often pointed at and said "How can they do that when we pay more for less", so I'm glad he's making Norwich-like signings.  My hope is that in doing so we're spreading the kitty out well and that should leave a decent chunk if/when the right player comes along to go in large for.

Cresswell is a leftback, isn't he?

[N'ZMAV]

James Collins to West Ham for £2mil? read on Twitter somewhere.

[VILLA MOLE]

James Collins to West Ham for £2mil? read on Twitter somewhere.

we have to give them £2mil as well ?

[Clampy]

I don't mind players like Lowton or Cresswell coming in. They'll be hungry to do well and it shows Lambert has a got a bit of knowledge of the lower leagues which can only be good especially when you consider that someone as average as Warnock once set us back over £8m.

[Le Lapin]

I wonder is Enda Stephens in Lambert's thoughts if he is thinking of bring in Aaron Cresswell. We seem to well covered in that position. Cresswell is highly rated though.

[Concrete John]

I think we'll have a good idea of Stephens future when we see what happens with Warnock.  I think a LB is coming in (loan bid for Bertrand and now the Cresswell link), so he'll either be cover/competition for Warnock or straight first choice, with Stephens in reserve, if we sell Warnock.  If it's the former, I think it'll be because Bertie doesn't rate Stephens.

[pedro25]

I'd be happy with Stephens as back up to a new left back, even a young guy like Cresswell, and Warnock sold.  We know that Lichaj, Baker and Clark can put a solid shift in there if necessary and even Delph and N'Zogbia have played there competently previously in their careers.

[darren woolley]

Let's get Cresswell signed up seems like the sort of player we need.

[supertom]

Apparently Cresswell has a cultured left foot. Sounds good. Lowton it would seem is also comfortable on the ball and effective going forward. I guess Lambert wants to improve on Warnock who's quite limited on the ball.

[MoetVillan]

I dont think Warnock is limited on the ball, one of the best defenders we have for passing and crossing.  Its the defending he struggles at, losing players and then having to make last ditch tackles