Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[supertom]

Houllier spent the beat part of 30m on bent and makoun. Perhaps bent was the difference in keeping us up but he definitely didn't turn out to warrant that fee in the long run

That was how much it cost to get Sunderland to play ball, and his goals over the next 12 months kept us up twice, so he more than paid his fee back.

If the alternative was don't pay it, who would we have got in for less (or better value over the course of a 4-5 year contract) that would have had the same immediate impact?

This was also the window Torres went for 50 mill and Carroll went for 35 wasn't it? So I think we certainly got our money's worth.

Suarez for 20m was also that window, so not so great too.

True but Saurez was something of an unknown quantity at this level coming from the Dutch league. He was very highly rated of course, but I'm not sure people genuinely expected him to end up being one of the top players in the World.

It depends just how we would value a striker. On the amount of games he's played and goals we've got from him in four years, then no Benty probably wasn't up to value. As far as how key his first year of goals was though, he probably was. He saved us from the drop in the first season and his goals in the second season were enough to see us crawl over the line. But this is comparing his value to the hypothetical financial cost of relegations.

Without descending into another Bent debate, the way Lambert and the club handled him wasn't the best. Particularly having him train with the kids in the previous pre-season. It put out a message that we didn't want him (and thus couldn't command any sort of reasonable fee). But certainly, had we cut our losses and recouped at least some cash on Bent before hand, then I think there'd be slightly less debate over whether he proved good value for money or not.

[PeterWithesShin]

If it hadn't been for his goals the first 2 seasons we may have been relegated. That alone made him value for money imo.
A great what if will always be what if we had signed him when he moved to Sunderland. Every chance we'd have made the top 4 and he'd have been perfect at the time. And who knows what would have happened then.

[old man villa fan]

If it hadn't been for his goals the first 2 seasons we may have been relegated. That alone made him value for money imo.
A great what if will always be what if we had signed him when he moved to Sunderland. Every chance we'd have made the top 4 and he'd have been perfect at the time. And who knows what would have happened then.

and we ended up with Heskey - DOH!

[Dante Lavelli]

As speculation is in the thread title, can I ask how many and what players we need to sign this summer?
My personal view is that we do not need many:

IN
Left back
Midfielder - someone to push Westwood and Sanchez (both of which I would keep)
Cleverly.

OUT
Weimann
Lowton

This would change if more players leave, but at the moment I want to see what Sherwood can get out of the players we have such as Sanchez /Westwood /Gabby /Grelish /Gardner who have been either inconsistent or are unproven.

[brontebilly]

Fabio Borini is utter shit, how Liverpool nearly got £12m for him is anyone's guess.

He cost them nearly that much in the first place. Ross McCormack and Shane Long came from the same market.

Wonder what kind of prices we would be quoted for the likes of Deeney or Gestede this summer if we need to start planning our Benteke succession planning early?

Not much available in the EPL free transfer bucket this summer, maybe the Garbutt kid from Everton - https://footballfragmento.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/final-premier-league-player-out-of-contract-summer-2015/

Phil Jones might be available for a reasonable price this summer, if he could get over his injury problem he would be a decent replacement for Vlaar I reckon.

Out of our guys with contracts up in 2016, Clark should be tied down long term. Bacuna and Baker have done enough this season to deserve another year. Weimann for one needs a move to get his career going

Players with contracts up in 2016: Shay Given, Charles N’Zogbia, Nathan Baker, Joe Bennett, Ciaran Clark, Philippe Senderos, Kieran Richardson, Janoi Donacien, Yacouba Sylla, Nicklas Helenius, Leandro Bacuna, Joe Cole, Gary Gardner, Andi Weimann, Callum Robinson

[pauliewalnuts]

Borini is absolutely gash.

[Des Little]

Borini is absolutely gash.

He's not that good

[brontebilly]

As speculation is in the thread title, can I ask how many and what players we need to sign this summer?
My personal view is that we do not need many:

IN
Left back
Midfielder - someone to push Westwood and Sanchez (both of which I would keep)
Cleverly.

OUT
Weimann
Lowton

This would change if more players leave, but at the moment I want to see what Sherwood can get out of the players we have such as Sanchez /Westwood /Gabby /Grelish /Gardner who have been either inconsistent or are unproven.

Id let Nzogbia go despite a decent end to the season from him. Though he would be looking at a wage cut if someone like Watford came in for him so its unlikely.

Definitely need a right sided centre half to replace Vlaar and partner Clark. Dont think Okore is quite there yet.

Most of our summer business will hinge around Benteke, I expect Van Gaal will be interested in him this summer.

Would suit the more direct football at Old Trafford these days and they have plenty of makeweights to use in any such deal.

Not sure what Sherwood makes of the goalkeeper situation, would be tough on Guzan but it wouldnt surprise me to see Sherwood look for a keeper better with his feet.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

Left back is the top priority this summer. Doesn't have to be a great player, just someone who can attack and defend well enough. Someone like Hutton.

[Dave]

Not much available in the EPL free transfer bucket this summer, maybe the Garbutt kid from Everton

Well, there's this guy:

Tom Cleverley

And I wouldn't say no to:

James Milner

I'd quite happily throw a 12 month contract at Esteban Cambiasso as well.

[SheffieldVillain]

As speculation is in the thread title, can I ask how many and what players we need to sign this summer?
My personal view is that we do not need many:

IN
Left back
Midfielder - someone to push Westwood and Sanchez (both of which I would keep)
Cleverly.

OUT
Weimann
Lowton

This would change if more players leave, but at the moment I want to see what Sherwood can get out of the players we have such as Sanchez /Westwood /Gabby /Grelish /Gardner who have been either inconsistent or are unproven.

Agree with this - I'd much rather we buy three or four genuinely class players and let Sherwood work with the rest, than go for a complete overhaul.

In - Cleverley, Sinclair, Left Back, Attacking Mid, Centre Half, Striker
Bring back from loan - Bennett, Robinson, Gardner, Helenius
Out - Vlaar (probably unless he suddenly wants to stay in which case keep), Richardson, Cissokho, N'Zog, Bent, Sylla, Tonev

[Dante Lavelli]

Milner is likely to go to Liverpool. 

Apologies for going there, but he would be ideal in our high pressing/mobile midfield.  It would definitely be worth trying to get both him and Cleverley.

[spangley1812]

I hope that we at least speak to Milner's agent and offer him as much as we can, the captaincy (if it helps) and assurance that he will play every game in centre midfield as I am sure he enjoyed his time here ........ 

[SheffieldVillain]

I hope that we at least speak to Milner's agent and offer him as much as we can, the captaincy (if it helps) and assurance that he will play every game in centre midfield as I am sure he enjoyed his time here ........ 

The first and third, yes. The captaincy, no way should it be taken off Delph, who could have taken the same career decision as Milner (not that I blame Milner) but instead chose to be loyal to Villa.

[Dave]

Milner is likely to go to Liverpool. 

Well yes, by all accounts it's pretty much agreed already.

But that doesn't mean that it's a list of players without anything to be interested by.