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

[Chipsticks]

Anybody else heard the Defoe rumours? That Agent ITK on twitter reckons we've bid 6m. Spurs want 8m? I never listen to twitter rubbish but this poster is never too far off.

Apart from when he said we were about to sign Clyne, which was way off.

I think he takes the scatter-gun approach to In the Knowism.

Claim we're linked with every player known to man and he's bound to be right on one of them.

[Mazrim]

Anyway, I dont think there's anything to this Defoe business. A striker I'd be delighted with except that he wouldn't work with Bent and wouldn't come to compete with him so I dont see the point. And I doubt Lambert would either.

[PeterWithesShin]

I have it on very good authority that someone may sign for an unnamed club at some time on the future. Please don't ask for my sources though as I was told this in the strictest of confidences.

Regarding Randy's wealth, I believe, but this one isn't 100% gospel so don't shoot the messenger, that he may well have more money than me. Make of that what you will.

[Risso]

Randy's stake in MBNA was sold for $2.5bn worth of Bank of America shares plus $300m in cash. The Browns' worth is estimated at $997m. So there's $3.8bn, and that's just what we know about.

I'm not interested in swapping one inaccurate valuation for another, but Forbes's is way out.

The family stake was sold for that amount, it wasn't all just Randy's.  And hasn't the Bank of America share values plummeted over the years?  No disrespect, but I'd imagine that Forbes probably have a team of researchers looking at their lists, and more than likely have access to information that isn't readily available.

[maidstonevillain]

Randy's stake in MBNA was sold for $2.5bn worth of Bank of America shares plus $300m in cash. The Browns' worth is estimated at $997m. So there's $3.8bn, and that's just what we know about.

I'm not interested in swapping one inaccurate valuation for another, but Forbes's is way out.
[/quote

Randy's stake in MBNA was sold for $2.5bn worth of Bank of America shares plus $300m in cash. The Browns' worth is estimated at $997m. So there's $3.8bn, and that's just what we know about.

I'm not interested in swapping one inaccurate valuation for another, but Forbes's is way out.

B of A stock has plummeted from about $50 a share to about $5 a share over the last couple of years. That is over the period randy has reigned in the spending. A coincidence?

[KRS]

Defoe would be a great signing IMO. Natural goalscorer, pace, technical skill and a cracking shot from outside the box...I'd have him in the team over Bent and Gabby any day of the week. If we're to be challenging for European places then strengthening the squad and forward line with players like Defoe is what we should be looking at and theres nothing wrong with having 2 or 3 good forwards fighting for places...take a glance towards Manchester to see the benefits.

[Rigadon]

I have it on very good authority that someone may sign for an unnamed club at some time on the future. Please don't ask for my sources though as I was told this in the strictest of confidences.

Regarding Randy's wealth, I believe, but this one isn't 100% gospel so don't shoot the messenger, that he may well have more money than me. Make of that what you will.

Thanks for that, sick of all the smoke and mirrors so it's great a poster like yourself shares what they know.

[Caiphus]

I thought the Forbes valuation was based on 1/3rd of the family trust which Randy is an equal beneficiary of along with his sister and mother.

[Mazrim]

In which case they've ignored the fact he owns the Browns, Aston Villa, a shopping Mall, an international property portfolio, other business ventures, bank of america stock and whatever cash he has. All of which, WITHOUT considering his access to the multi billion dollar trust fund, must be knocking on $2bn.
Which is my point I suppose:
Forbes are only a guideline. What they list as personal wealth is not comprehensive in my opinion.
Not that there's any law saying they have to be 100% accurate.
In any case, this is his money not Aston Villa's, which is all I'm interested in.

[Percy McCarthy]

I'm aware that B of A share price has dropped. What we don't know is, if or when Randy sold them. His timing in getting out of the credit card business was spot on. My point is he was worth lots more than the $1.6bn Forbes said when he took over, and I have no reason to believe they're anymore accurate now.

[Salsa Party Animal]

don't forget he got a big divorce bill as well.

[Dante Lavelli]

I take the point it is not an exact science, but if you reckon the Forbes valuation is way out - and you might be right - it'd be good to know on which basis, or we're just swapping one inaccurate valuation for another one.

re selling the Browns ... didn't he run them on behalf of his family? Maybe it is his mother or sister who really wants out.

It's not that it's way out, it's that it's criteria only tells part of the story. It's only a guideline.
I stated why I think so in my previous post.

To my knowledge, Randy is the sole owner of the Browns.

I read something that in his dad's will Lerner had to keep the Browns for ten years before selling them.  That was in 2002.

You read it in 2002?  I’m surprised you still remember. [winky thingy]

[Risso]

don't forget he got a big divorce bill as well.

Indeed.  Not to mention big losses on the Villa.

[Mazrim]

Haven't forgot about the divorce but I dont know what the payout was. I doubt anybody outside the family does.
Yes Villa have made some losses but, in relative terms they're manageable.

[VillaAlways]

I hope this is true

http://astonvilla-views.com/2012/07/30/feyenoord-journalist-guidetti-spotted-in-birmingham-avfc/

20 Goals in 23 games