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

[Yossarian]

Just to add a few extra zzzzzz pages to the thread (from the beeb gossip column):

"Manchester City are planning an overhaul of their player recruitment policy as they look to cut down on a wage bill that has risen above £200m-per-year. Defender Joleon Lescott, 30, midfielder Gareth Barry, 31, midfielder James Milner, 26, striker Edin Dzeko, 26, and striker Mario Balotelli, 22, could all be sold to help the drive."

I'd take Milner back in a flash and Barry, maybe, if the price was right.  None of the others though.

All of them would do well for us. Dzeko and Balotelli would never come to us. Barry and Milner would both suit our midfield but Milner would be fantastic.

[Summers]

I'd honestly welcome both back. Milner in CM would recapture his old form & my love for Barry means I'd welcome him back happily. Like a long lost brother returning.

[timeoutbigbar]

Jimmy would have better offers and it doesn't help that we've gone backwards in league position since he decided to leave.  I'd put that one under 'dreaming'.  Barry would be slighty more realistic at this stage in his career, though I think he is still starting the majority of Citehs games,

[Jarpie]

I wonder who would buy them unless Man City pays hefty resignment money to the player so that they take a paycut, like they did with Adam Johnson.

[Dante Lavelli]

I wonder who would buy them unless Man City pays hefty resignment money to the player so that they take a paycut, like they did with Adam Johnson.

That's true, most "other" fans I speak to think Barry is shit and Milner is even worse.  Milner might not have the options that a 26 year old international would normally expect.

I think he'd be perfect adding a bit of drive and athleticism to the centre of midfield.  I also suspect/hope at this stage in his career he would want to start being the main man again.

[Rigadon]

I wonder who would buy them unless Man City pays hefty resignment money to the player so that they take a paycut, like they did with Adam Johnson.

That's true, most "other" fans I speak to think Barry is shit and Milner is even worse.  Milner might not have the options that a 26 year old international would normally expect.

I think he'd be perfect adding a bit of drive and athleticism to the centre of midfield.  I also suspect/hope at this stage in his career he would want to start being the main man again.

That's quite true about other fans, they didn't see Milner become a central midfield colossus like we did, only seeing him labour to varying degrees on the right wing for Engerland.  If he goes somewhere else to be a bit part player, he's wasted his career IMO. 

Liverpool might want Barry. 

[olaftab]

I'd take Milner back in a flash and Barry, maybe, if the price was right.  None of the others though.

All of them would do well for us. Dzeko and Balotelli would never come to us. Barry and Milner would both suit our midfield but Milner would be fantastic.

No no no. We don't want any of them. We are now moving forward in a different way so lets stick to that.

[eastie]

With Barry and Milner in this team I think we would be challenging for a top 6 place next season, but I can't see it happening , more chance of Gareth coming back perhaps  but I'd be surprised if Milner did .

[Holte L2]

I'd take Milner back in a flash and Barry, maybe, if the price was right.  None of the others though.

All of them would do well for us. Dzeko and Balotelli would never come to us. Barry and Milner would both suit our midfield but Milner would be fantastic.

No no no. We don't want any of them. We are now moving forward in a different way so lets stick to that.

So you wouldn't welcome James Milner back?

[olaftab]

There is no point in disrupting our team ethics and the new spirit by chasing so called big players. Milner may well fit into our current team but his wages etc will hinder more.

[glasses]

I'd take Milner back in a flash and Barry, maybe, if the price was right.  None of the others though.

All of them would do well for us. Dzeko and Balotelli would never come to us. Barry and Milner would both suit our midfield but Milner would be fantastic.

No no no. We don't want any of them. We are now moving forward in a different way so lets stick to that.

So you wouldn't welcome James Milner back?

i wouldn't welcome him back, but I'd welcome Barry back.

[pauliewalnuts]

There is no point in disrupting our team ethics and the new spirit by chasing so called big players. Milner may well fit into our current team but his wages etc will hinder more.

On the flip side, it's a pretty hefty gamble relying entirely on youth players and lower league imports.

Of the players we've moved on in recent years, Milner is the one we miss the most by far in my opinion. Imagine him in this side, playing through the middle - excellent player, experienced considering how young he is, top notch professional.

I struggle to think of a player who would improve us more, and also have the right attitude.

[Clampy]

Milner would fit in really well with the hard working ethic we have at the moment. i think he would come back but not just yet though unless Man City pushed him out.

[eastie]

BBC Sport: Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert is determined to keep hold of in-form Belgian striker Christian Benteke. The 22-year-old, who signed from Genk for £7m in August, has scored eight goals in 17 appearances this season. His form has sparked speculation that he could be a January transfer target for other Premier League clubs. However, Lambert said: "There's no point in us being here if it's a case of bringing people in and then letting them go."

[KevinGage]

Morsion at Norwich has been out of the side for three months until yesterday. 

I know, I know,  if he can't even get in the Norwich team... etc.    But he did well for Lambert last year, so that might be something we explore - if Bent moves. 

Benteke and Bill Wiemann have done enough to be first choice, but we'll need back up over the course of the season. Morsion would seem to fit in with the team ethic, and wouldn't be acting the Billy Big Bollocks if he didn't start.   The way Lambert rotates the squad means he'd most likely see more action here than he has done recently in Alan Partridge country too.