Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[PeterWithe]

Redmond was superb for the U21s tonight, as were both full backs.

[ciggiesnbeer]

I read that he was pretty awful, but with NZogbia and Albrighton apparently off, we need something creative from somewhere.

Scraping the barrel...

Noone at Cardiff was pretty handy last season.


Sidwell for a million or so might give us some goals from midfield.

Holtby would be a great loan with a view to buy if we could get him in.

Andros Townsend might be available for loan too, Spurs had him very in and out, so might be worth monitoring.

Nathan Redmond, Leroy Fer and Wes Hoolahan have to be worth a good look.

Thanks. Bloody hell. takeover rumours aside I had assumed that this transfer window we would have got the ship straight enough that Lerner would authorize spending a little more than usual. Bargain shopping yet again is all a bit depressing. The only positive is I really do rate Lambert in the transfer market. So if trust him to get a couple of good ones out of even the meanest budget.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

I'd like us to go for Holtby; sends out positive signals too, and Redmond and Hoolahoop could do a job. Fer's no better than what we've got imo.

[DrGonzo]

  I know this is the speculation thread, but with the situation that surrounds us we might as well be speculating over the exact date and time of the big bang, any cockend on twatter or other social media site claiming to know the ins and outs of Villa at this time is clearly self deluded.  Things look shit now, that is undeniable, however we none of us know where we will be come the start of the season, whether we are all crowing with our good fortune or staring another season of shit and struggle in the face.  Grow some balls.  We will still be Villa fans, and we will still be one of the great clubs in football.

[adrenachrome]

ToryGraph

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert set to make move for Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott

Lambert launches ambitious move for Manchester City defender but Marc Albrighton will become the first departure of the summer

By John Percy
10:30PM BST 19 May 2014

 Paul Lambert is ready to launch an ambitious move for Joleon Lescott but Marc Albrighton will become the first departure of an uncertain summer at Aston Villa.

Lambert has met chairman Randy Lerner in New York for talks and been assured funds will be made available this summer, even though the club is up for sale.

Lescott will be targeted after his release from Manchester City and Lambert is hoping for the green light to offer the England international over £55,000-a-week in wages.

Lambert is determined to recruit proven quality players this summer and will assemble a list of targets before presenting them to the Aston Villa owner.

Lewis Holtby is another target but any deal seems remote as Tottenham Hotspur are believed to be demanding £10 million for the midfielder.

That figure is likely to represent Lambert’s entire transfer budget but the Scot will press ahead with plans to strengthen his squad, with the sale of any fringe players used to boost the funds available.

He said: “All I can do is recommend people who I think this club can bring in and ultimately the decision will be with Randy.

“The squad requires strengthening and it won’t be easy but we’ll look to identify players of proven quality to bring in and get ready for the start of the new season.

“Whether Randy is here or new owners the club will always be attractive.”

Albrighton, the winger, is set to leave and join Championship winners Leicester City on a free transfer.

Villa have not offered the former trainee a new deal and Leicester are understood to have promised a £30,000 a week contract, which doubles his current salary.

Lambert will also be searching for new back-room staff after Gary Karsa, the head of football operations, was officially dismissed following his suspension.

Ian Culverhouse, Lambert’s assistant, was also suspended amid allegations of bullying and his exit is likely to be confirmed this month.

Villa are up for sale at £200 million but nothing is close and Lerner could start next season still as chairman.

Lambert said: “The most important thing was keeping the club in the Premier League.

“If we had got relegated and then Randy had put it up for sale it would have been an even more difficult situation.”

[ozzjim]

Lescott would be a bloody good start. Lescott, Okore and Vlaar as a back 3 would give you a really good foundation. Westwood and Delph need a creator with them. Lowton and Bacuna cover the right hand side, could we offload Bennett in a deal for Cresswell and Baker to a championship club? Maybe offer Norwich Baker for Redmond!

Defensively I will be much more confident if we got Lescott and have Okore and Vlaar fit that we won't ship 60 goals again, it is all about getting a couple of forward players that can unlock defences.

[silhillvilla]

Lescott in , sounds good

[Matt Collins]

Can't see Lescott - wages too high and I'm not sure he's really that good.

I can't get the comprehensive bosman list by league on transfermarkt to work. Can anyone scan and post some names?

[pauliewalnuts]

This worries me a bit.

Brendan McLoughlin ‏@bren_mcloughlin  22m
No fresh deals this summer 4 Agbonlahor, Delph, Vlaar - players not out of contract for next season.  May invite interest esp in Delph #avfc

[UK Redsox]

Can't see Lescott - wages too high and I'm not sure he's really that good.

I can't get the comprehensive bosman list by league on transfermarkt to work. Can anyone scan and post some names?

Lescott might not be a great player and is certainly not as good as he once was. However, and this is the only thing that matters, he's still better than Baker and Clark.

[Gareth]

For me a centre half with pace to back up Vlaar & Okore with Baker or Clark as 4th choice, either of those would be perfectly good 4th choice centre halves, problem this year was that they have been first choices nearly every game.

A solid left back (one who understands his first job is to defend!) and a physical central midfielder (A good quality Sylla)...offer to loan Hoolahan not buy him :-)

Get Okore, Kozak & N'Zogbia fit - integrate Grealish, Gardner, Graham & Robinson into squad

If he has 15-20m then it's quality this summer not punting on the likes of Helenius, Tonev & Bacuna, who you wonder were they scouted before purchase?

[David_Nab]

This worries me a bit.

Brendan McLoughlin ‏@bren_mcloughlin  22m
No fresh deals this summer 4 Agbonlahor, Delph, Vlaar - players not out of contract for next season.  May invite interest esp in Delph #avfc

This worries me a bit.

Brendan McLoughlin ‏@bren_mcloughlin  22m
No fresh deals this summer 4 Agbonlahor, Delph, Vlaar - players not out of contract for next season.  May invite interest esp in Delph #avfc

Delph should be signed up ASAP ..

[ozzjim]

NZogbia being reported as surplus. Him, Given, Bent and Hutton go, then you could see there being a decent amount of wriggle room. Trouble is, NZogbia in form is a very decent player, and we won't sign anyone better IMO creatively.

[Sexual Ealing]

If it's true, as John Percy says above, that Leicester are prepared to double Albrighton's wages that's totally fucking mental. He's out of contract, they don't need to double his wages. Someone who's played as little as he has would I'm sure be delighted top have the same wages maintained. Bonkers.

[PeterWithesShin]

I suppose they look at it as it's an extra 780k a year. Over three years it's the same as paying a couple of mill fee and a slight wage increase.