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

[ozzjim]

just about my favourite clip on the internet.

[PeterWithesShin]

Apologies if this has been posted anywhere as it's from last week but i've only just seen it and I don't remember seeing it on here.

Paul Lambert will listen to offers for several of Aston Villa's old guard as he looks to rebuild in the new year.
Out-of-favour players will be moved on in order to free up room in his budget.
Bids will be considered for Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock and Alan Hutton in a drive to remove high earners from the books.

Stoke had been strongly linked to Dunne, who also had an offer from Malaga in Spain before the transfer window shut in August.
Villa would be reluctant to part with injured striker Darren Bent, who joined the club only two seasons ago.
He remains a consistent scorer and Lambert, despite dropping the forward last month, remains short of goals.
The Scot will give Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke licence against Manchester United at Villa Park this evening, with Lambert predicting big things from the former in particular.
The England striker is second only to Liverpool's Steven Gerrard in scoring against the Old Trafford side in the Premier League.
Lambert said: 'Gabby's a handful because he has incredible speed. I wouldn't like to race him.
'I could see him getting back with England. He's in top form and enjoying where he is playing.'

Lambert also revealed that record signing Darren Bent will not require further surgery to overcome the ankle problem which first flared up nine months ago.
Bent was sidelined for the final three months of last season with a ligament injury suffered against Wigan in February which also ended his hopes of being part of England's Euro 2012 squad.
He is currently struggling with the injury again but, after seeing a specialist on Wednesday, Lambert believes rehab work should help Villa's £18million man recover, rather than another operation.
Lambert said: 'Darren had a scan on Wednesday on the ankle that he hurt and there's still little things in there that need to be cleared up.
'I think that's the problem. It's from the last injury but he doesn't need surgery now.
'I don't know how long he will be out but it's about the healing....rehab really.
'It's not floating bone, and he is getting there, but there's still a wee bit to go.
'It's a blow because we need any goalscorer and strikers.'

Prior to his latest injury Bent had already lost his place to £7million summer signing Christian Benteke, who has quickly become a favourite with the Villa fans.
Lambert said: 'I think Christian has built up a good relationship with them because of the way he plays and the way the big guy's been.
'I think at every club you go to there's always somebody the fans really like.
'For somebody as young as he is, once it sinks it what he's doing, I think he'll be a really big player.'
Villa have now half a dozen players on the injury list but Lambert is still looking forward with relish to games against United, Manchester City and Arsenal in the next fortnight.
He said: 'The injuries are mounting but that's the game of football, you have to trust the ones that go out for you.
'We've got Manchester United and we'll go to try and win it. The players will relish the next three games.

'Nobody's expecting us to do it, but we've earned the right to play them and we'll go and try and win.'
Lambert can sense a feeling of goodwill towards him from Villa fans that never existed when Alex McLeish was at the helm last season.
But he admits he is still under pressure and is driven on by the fear of failure.
He said: 'I do sense that people want you to do well, I really do.
'I wasn't part of what happened last year. It must have been extremely difficult.
'I think being a football manager there is always pressure on you. There's always people who want to have a go at you and praise you. I think you need a thick skin.
'The fear of losing drives you, that's what keeps you going, that you don't want to lose.'

[Stu]

With Blues now in the shit and needing money, would anyone else fancy a Bid for Jack Butland? Go in low, they turned down £6m from Southampton back in August, but they're desperate for cash now.

[eastie]

With Blues now in the shit and needing money, would anyone else fancy a Bid for Jack Butland? Go in low, they turned down £6m from Southampton back in August, but they're desperate for cash now.

Rather use the money available to strengthen other areas to be honest , I think we are ok on the goalkeeper front for now.

[not3bad]

Shay Given's been talking about his dream of playing for Celtic.

[Sexual Ealing]

Shay Given's been talking about his dream of playing for Celtic.

The perfect move for him at his age I reckon.

[Rigadon]

Shay Given's been talking about his dream of playing for Celtic.

The perfect move for him at his age I reckon.

Be good if we didn't have to part fund it though eh?  If he's off I'd want Celtic or whoever to be paying all his wages and us no compo fee.

[Sexual Ealing]

Indeed.

[Matt C]

They've already got a pretty good keeper haven't they?

[Stu]

With Blues now in the shit and needing money, would anyone else fancy a Bid for Jack Butland? Go in low, they turned down £6m from Southampton back in August, but they're desperate for cash now.

Rather use the money available to strengthen other areas to be honest , I think we are ok on the goalkeeper front for now.

I agree that we need to strengthen in midfield in particular this January, but if Given is on his bike we're left with Guzan and Marshall as the first team goalkeepers. We need to strengthen in that area, too.

[OCD]

They've already got a pretty good keeper haven't they?

Yes, Forster who looked quality against Barcelona. The only way I could see Given going to Celtic would be if a deal has already been agreed for Forster to move on.

[KevinGage]

Shay Given's been talking about his dream of playing for Celtic.

The perfect move for him at his age I reckon.

Be good if we didn't have to part fund it though eh?  If he's off I'd want Celtic or whoever to be paying all his wages and us no compo fee.

Wouldn't be at all surprised to see a club from the continent come in for him.

His reputation will still be pretty high and -Euros apart-  he's been good over a number of years. 

Although I don't subscribe to the theory that he's weak at crosses, they are by no means his strong point.  In most other European leagues that isn't really an issue though.

[SoccerHQ]

Didn't we pay Keane £1m for 6 games ?

Bloody hell, never liked him and like him even less now. That's depressing.

Played his part in our survival though- defeat at wolves that day would have seen far more than £1m lost- those 3 points were vital.

Yeah, didn't want him either but that Wolves game was my favourite of last season (not hard!) and he did give the team a lift for a bit.

[SoccerHQ]

They've already got a pretty good keeper haven't they?

Yes, Forster who looked quality against Barcelona. The only way I could see Given going to Celtic would be if a deal has already been agreed for Forster to move on.

What about us? Pretty sure Lambert had Fraser Forster on loan at Norwich?

[OCD]

Didn't we pay Keane £1m for 6 games ?

Bloody hell, never liked him and like him even less now. That's depressing.

Played his part in our survival though- defeat at wolves that day would have seen far more than £1m lost- those 3 points were vital.

Yeah, didn't want him either but that Wolves game was my favourite of last season (not hard!) and he did give the team a lift for a bit.

Chelsea away was my favourite.