Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[silhillvilla]

Vlaar will go to whoever pays the most. He's 29 and has one big 4 year deal left before his legs and knees are shot . It may be Southampton , it may be hull , it may be Leicester or Yanited. I'd say it's 99.9% sure he's kicked his last ball for us.

[RussellC]

Let's not forget Koeman was his manager at Feyenoord. This worries me.

[dave.woodhall]

Strange how such an average/mediocre/useless, injury-prone player is going to be in such demand.

[silhillvilla]

Strange how such an average/mediocre/useless, injury-prone player is going to be in such demand.

Strange ? He's having a solid WC , he's almost out of contract. Just a question of when and who signs him.

[dave.woodhall]

Strange how such an average/mediocre/useless, injury-prone player is going to be in such demand.

Strange ? He's having a solid WC , he's almost out of contract. Just a question of when and who signs him.

And why might that be?

[adrenachrome]

I can't imagine they'd offer us enough of an incentive to sell or him enough of an incentive to go.

Assuming we get round to offering him a new contract obviously.

Birmingham Mail

Paul Lambert planning contract talks with key trio

Villa boss planning discussions with Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Gabby Agbonlahor upon their return to pre-season training

Jul 03, 2014 22:30 By Mat Kendrick

Paul Lambert plans talks with a trio of key Aston Villa stars when they return for pre-season training, vowing that nobody will leave the club against his wishes.

The futures of Ron Vlaar, Fabian Delph and Gabby Agbonlahor have been shrouded in uncertainty since talks about extending their deals were put on hold.

Delph and Agbonlahor are set to report back to Bodymoor Heath with the majority of the claret and blues’ squad on Monday morning.

Vlaar, whose World Cup crusade with the Netherlands continues with a quarter-final against Costa Rica on Saturday, will be allowed an extended break after his country’s involvement in Brazil 2014 concludes.

He is expected to attract interest from rival clubs, but Lambert is adamant that he will have the ultimate authority to decide who stays and who goes this summer.

Vlaar, Delph and Agbonlahor – respectively the captain, the player of the season and the current longest serving player – each have a year left on their current deals.

But, having appointed Roy Keane as his assistant earlier this week, Lambert intends to address the make-up of his backroom team before turning his attention to the contracts of his players.

Asked about the key trio’s contract situations, Lambert replied: “I had to get the staff sorted out first. That will take its course.

“The main thing is to get the staff together. Once we come back on Monday then things will start to roll.

“I don’t think anybody will go without me saying so. I think the lads are happy here and want to get going again.

“Things like that will happen soon.”

Lambert reckons there is a very real possibility Villa could be welcoming Vlaar back as a World Cup winner later this month.

Vlaar has been an ever-present during the Dutch march to the last eight and he believes they are capable of winning the competition.

The 29-year-old Villa skipper has been in impressive form throughout Brazil 2014 and is expected to start Saturday’s tie in Salvador. “He’s got as great a chance as everyone else,” said Lambert.

“They are one of eight teams left. They’ve got a really hard game against Costa Rica, who are playing well.

“Holland are playing well, too. Ron has had a brilliant World Cup the way he’s performing. I think the World Cup is as open as it’s ever been.”

Philippe Senderos and Brad Guzan, who have been on international duty with Switzerland and the United States, are also expected to be given extra time off.

[adrenachrome]

Twitter seems full of a Southampton bid for Vlaar?

At 29 Ron Vlaar will have no desire to go to a club that has sold all of its best players, and just because Koeman is manager. In fact for me they could very well join the relegation contenders next season. If (and I don't think he will), Vlaar leaves at this stage of his career it will be to a CL club. And it doesn't have to be one of the ones at the top of the tree either. There are several where he's fit in without any issue.

The source on Twitter appears to be @IncognitoAVC.

File under twaddle.

[Toronto Villa]

New contracts for Gardner, Robinson and now Donacien s a good start. Really have high hopes for Donacien, and hope Gardner flourishes under Keane's guidance.

[hilts_coolerking]

And why might that be?

Probably because generally over the last few years we've made a habit of selling our best players.

[Toronto Villa]

And why might that be?

Probably because generally over the last few years we've made a habit of selling our best players.

As has every team. We are not in an exclusive club when it comes to selling our best players. We've just done a piss poor job in replacing them.

[hilts_coolerking]

As has every team. We are not in an exclusive club when it comes to selling our best players. We've just done a piss poor job in replacing them.

That doesn't alter the fact that generally speaking we sell our best players.  If every other team does too, which I don't agree with actually, then that only increases the chances of Vlaar going because other teams will need to replace those who have left.

[Mazrim]

I'd like to think Senderos is just slightly better cover for Vlaar and Okore than Baker, rather than Vlaar's replacement. But I am cringing at the possibility.

[dave.woodhall]

As has every team. We are not in an exclusive club when it comes to selling our best players. We've just done a piss poor job in replacing them.

That doesn't alter the fact that generally speaking we sell our best players.  If every other team does too, which I don't agree with actually, then that only increases the chances of Vlaar going because other teams will need to replace those who have left.

I make it four in eight years. We've sold two to Manchester City, one to Manchester United and one, hilariously, to Liverpool. Three were for seriously big money and one should have seen us wear a mask, a striped jumper and carry a big bag marked 'Swag'. At no point in his two seasons with us have I ever seen anything in Ron Vlaar that makes me think he's in that league.

[Mazrim]

No he's not. But unless we replaced him with somebody decent, we'd struggle desperately as he's easily our best defender. The problem with selling the players mentioned wasn't that we didn't get decent money for them. We certainly did. But we didn't spend that money wisely at all. So I'm not feeling confident we would this time either.

[adrenachrome]

No he's not. But unless we replaced him with somebody decent, we'd struggle desperately as he's easily our best defender. The problem with selling the players mentioned wasn't that we didn't get decent money for them. We certainly did. But we didn't spend that money wisely at all. So I'm not feeling confident we would this time either.

That is the crux of the matter, although you could argue about where the cash for signing Benteke came from.

Also, we have effectively raised a flag to the shadowy world of agents that these players might be available. There is a reason that clubs try and renew contracts well before entering into the last year.

The Southampton rumour is most likely bullshit given the source, but I would very surprised if we do not get serious bids for Vlaar and Delph. Unfortunately it is now hard to believe anything Lambert says, as he has often contradicted himself in the same interview, and sometimes in the next sentence. This is probably why some posters are welcoming Keane as a straight talking antidote to Lambert's relentless gobbledygook.