Tom Cleverley - Loan Confirmed

[PaulWinch again]

Yep that'd be far far too much. Cleverley needs to think carefully about where he wants his career to go.

[Dave]

Yep that'd be far far too much. Cleverley needs to think carefully about where he wants his career to go.

But "seeing out a big contract with Man Utd and then signing for another club on a free transfer in 12 months" isn't really akin to Hobson's Choice is it?

[olaftab]

Yes it's up to him. He can carry on drawing his wage at manure and become a forgotten man or play every week in the premier league and win back his England place.

[Dave]

Yes it's up to him. He can carry on drawing his wage at manure and become a forgotten man or play every week in the premier league and win back his England place.

Why would it matter to him whether he signs for Villa or Hull now or in 12 months time, presumably with a bigger signing on fee?

[olaftab]

I thought he would not want to waste 12 months of a short footballing life but there we are...

[OCD]

Yes it's up to him. He can carry on drawing his wage at manure and become a forgotten man or play every week in the premier league and win back his England place.

Why would it matter to him whether he signs for Villa or Hull now or in 12 months time, presumably with a bigger signing on fee?

It would mean a year in the wilderness when Gerrard and Lampard have just retired from international football. Personally, I would be thinking about regular first team football and proving myself with the ambition of nailing one of those England places down. £40k/week is still a lot of money and still allows for the potential for those ambitions to be fulfilled. Sadly too many young (and often English) players are thinking solely in terms of £ signs and neglecting everything else. I can't blame him for trying to negotiate the best deal for himself but think about the priorities. If he came here on £40k/week, proved himself and became an England regular he would be in a position to negotiate a £60k/week contract either with us or somebody else.

[Matt C]

If he's got an iota of desire to play regularly I suspect we'll get him. If not then he's not for us anyway.

[Toronto Villa]

Thing is we are making a lot of assumptions based on very little information. It's all speculation and none of it could be true. Let's see how tomorrow plays out. He's been told he can leave so I'm sure he is spending tonight considering all his options as he should be. This will be a big move for him considering he's been at Man U since a schoolboy.

[ozzjim]

Guardian reckon if he goes Valencia are favourites.

[dave.woodhall]

Guardian reckon if he goes Valencia are favourites.

Bookies reckon us.

[Matt C]

If he goes anywhere I'd still back us to get him.

[villadelph]

Guardian reckon if he goes Valencia are favourites.

Doubt a move to Valencia would give him a leg up to get back in the England squad. With Gerrard and Lamps gone, he'd be silly to not rebuild his reputation in the Prem.

[aev]

I doubt Valencia are in a position to pay him more than us.

[Ian.]

Guardian reckon if he goes Valencia are favourites.

Doubt a move to Valencia would give him a leg up to get back in the England squad. With Gerrard and Lamps gone, he'd be silly to not rebuild his reputation in the Prem.

As much as I want him to sign I think more English players should try playing in Europe. I'm sure if more did the National side would improve too and Roy or any English manager would be aware of what players are playing abroad.

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

Bloke two seats away from me said he saw him outside the ground yesterday.

Radio 4 this morning reckon we are favourites to sign him.

There's some ITK for you from two great sources; a slightly mad drunkard who only watches 70 minutes of the game and the posh people on the radio. You heard it here first.

Now, where's the banner...