The Takeover Thread - Recon Group - NOW WITH NEW POLL

[paul_e]

Bringing discussion back to the general subject, ie the takeover, I just read something on VT, of all places, which struck me as a good point. Surely, the fact that Lerner is stalling contract extensions for the likes of Vlaar and Delph suggests that a takeover is near?

To do that if there were no takeover anywhere near would represent a level of poor, irresponsible management of the club that surely even he wouldn't want to sink to?

Well, I would add that to sign players on frees on two year deals suggests there has to be somebody saying they don't mind picking up the wages. Either you've got to believe Lerner still thinks he'll be here in two years, in which case he'd still be following a policy of spending low on transfers fees, or he's got assurances that contracts will be honoured. This may be why we're only looking at frees, because he doesn't have to spend any cash on transfer fees when he's so close to going.

I think you have the right end point but the wrong reason for getting there.  It's not Randy's money we'd be spending if we made a, for example, £10m signing.  The normal situation is you pay X% up front and then the rest is paid over time.  So going with that £10m we'd spend £5m now and the rest next summer, by which time we'll have been long sold.  Right now the club has a lot of money in the bank from the prize money/TV rights, but obviously a big chunk of that would be committed to wages, etc.  If Randy spent some of that money he risks selling a club with a budget deficit which he's clearly trying to avoid (this is pretty standard practice and ties in with the loans to equity transfer in December).

I think he's trying to keep the financial commitments he's handing over to a minimum, so we hold off on new deals until later in the summer but if nothing much is happening they'll be dealt with in late July because he'll want to increase the value of the club assets.  I'd guess the plan is for the likes of Vlaar and Guzan to join up with the squad on either 21/07 or 28/07 (to give them a break after the world cup) so I'd expect to hear about a new deal being offered by the middle of the week they're back, around the same time as Benteke last year.

[LeeB]

Bringing discussion back to the general subject, ie the takeover, I just read something on VT, of all places, which struck me as a good point. Surely, the fact that Lerner is stalling contract extensions for the likes of Vlaar and Delph suggests that a takeover is near?

To do that if there were no takeover anywhere near would represent a level of poor, irresponsible management of the club that surely even he wouldn't want to sink to?

It would also be in the players interests to hold off signing in case we suddenly become mega wealthy overnight.

[peter w]

I doubt that. We become mega wealthy and we can sign better players. If players hold off from signing a new contract with only a year on their contract they could find themselves out afetr a year with teh club no longer needing them. Now is exactly the time for them to sign up if they actually want to stay for the long haul. The players hold the aces as it is, sign up up for 3 or 4 years and go next season they want.

[LeeB]

I doubt that. We become mega wealthy and we can sign better players. If players hold off from signing a new contract with only a year on their contract they could find themselves out afetr a year with teh club no longer needing them. Now is exactly the time for them to sign up if they actually want to stay for the long haul. The players hold the aces as it is, sign up up for 3 or 4 years and go next season they want.

They represent 2 of our 3 best players. They're not going to be short of takers should they come up on a free at the end of the season, and that contract would undoubtedly be more lucrative than any we can offer at present.

[Toronto Villa]

Bringing discussion back to the general subject, ie the takeover, I just read something on VT, of all places, which struck me as a good point. Surely, the fact that Lerner is stalling contract extensions for the likes of Vlaar and Delph suggests that a takeover is near?

To do that if there were no takeover anywhere near would represent a level of poor, irresponsible management of the club that surely even he wouldn't want to sink to?

does anyone recall when Lerner was first linked with the club to when the deal was pretty much official? My guess is things are happening behind the scenes and very deliberately kept out of the media. That when something breaks it will all happen very quickly. I believe what Peter Knowles is suggesting that any interest would take 3 months to consummate but it doesn't necessarily mean that talks are not already underway with certain parties. I still strongly believe that Randy wants out before next season starts because he simply won't want the attention and will want to give the club every opportunity to be successful under a new steward and manager if need be.

[pauliewalnuts]

I imagine he wants out as quickly as he can, but he's not the only football chairman who is thinking that way.

I hope it does happen quickly, as the uncertainty could be fatal on a number of levels, of which this contract situation is just one.

[Dr Butler]

just seen this on the Irish  Villa supporters facebook page.

CNN in Canada are reporting that Randy Lerner is in 'advanced talks' to sell Aston Villa.

not sure how true this is....

[john e]

just seen this on the Irish  Villa supporters facebook page.

CNN in Canada are reporting that Randy Lerner is in 'advanced talks' to sell Aston Villa.

not sure how true this is....

It's got an Irish, Villa and Facebook combination,
So it's Gota be true

[midian]

Its a job for Toronto Villa to watch the CNN news see if all made up or not.

[Dr Butler]

just seen this on the Irish  Villa supporters facebook page.

CNN in Canada are reporting that Randy Lerner is in 'advanced talks' to sell Aston Villa.

not sure how true this is....

It's got an Irish, Villa and Facebook combination,
So it's Gota be true

gospel...

[paul_e]

I imagine he wants out as quickly as he can, but he's not the only football chairman who is thinking that way.

I hope it does happen quickly, as the uncertainty could be fatal on a number of levels, of which this contract situation is just one.

I genuinely don't think there is another owner in the premier league who is genuinely eager to sell.  Kenwright and Ashley keep saying they are but neither seems remotely interested in looking for a buyer.

I'm with TV on this, I seem to remember there were about 4 weeks between the first mention of Lerner by name and the actual takeover.

Looking back on the internet the first mention of Lerner i can find is around the 25th July, with the official announcement of the accepted offer coming about 3 weeks later (wikipedia says the 14th of August, which is pretty close to the news reports as well) and then the confirmation to the London Stock Exchange was the 25th of August.

[Toronto Villa]

Its a job for Toronto Villa to watch the CNN news see if all made up or not.

I have no idea who CNN in Canada is. There is CN Rail but I will call massive bullshit that they would be at all interested in owning a football club or be involved with any other sports operation.

[midian]

Its a job for Toronto Villa to watch the CNN news see if all made up or not.

I have no idea who CNN in Canada is. There is CN Rail but I will call massive bullshit that they would be at all interested in owning a football club or be involved with any other sports operation.

Apparently on CNN News Canada its been said Harris & Blitzer in advanced talks for $300m and has been said on air over in Canada

[Dave]

Its a job for Toronto Villa to watch the CNN news see if all made up or not.

I have no idea who CNN in Canada is. There is CN Rail but I will call massive bullshit that they would be at all interested in owning a football club or be involved with any other sports operation.

I don't think he means that CNN would be looking to buy us. I think he means that they are reporting that somebody might be looking to buy us.

[brian green]

I would be less underwhelmed if they were "final negotiations" not "advanced talks".