Summer 2015 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[Matt Collins]

Get the sense that Austin to Newcastle is getting closer

If we do need to replace benteke that would pretty much exhaust the credible options with a proven premier league record I think

While resolution to the ownership situation by early July still leaves plenty of time for transfers, there's definitely a risk that the options left on the market are pretty limited. Especially if we've not been doing the groundwork with agents and clubs that seems to be required nowadays.

Clubs that we'd like to think we can compete with are starting to strengthen and this squad without benteke will definitely be in another relegation scrap. So need to get it resolved asap

[Mister E]

leaving that particular polemic behind a moment, we won more under Doug than we have under Randy

True, but that needs to be put in context.  There was no Champions League doping at the time which has lead to a small number of clubs monopolising each league.  I'd guess that the only 'doping' during that period was transferring from old-school ownership to a plc.  What did Villa generate when they went public and how much was invested into the club (and how much was trousered by the chairman)?

NTL paid a £26m loan for 9.9% of Villa in January 2000. We bought Ginola and Alpay that summer for around £8m and only a fan protest got the fucker to sign Angel in the January of 01.

What do you think paid for the Trinity Road?

not much of a percentage of £26m.
And HDE's management company earned a large slice of the final bill, allegedly.

[Dave]

Get the sense that Austin to Newcastle is getting closer

If we do need to replace benteke that would pretty much exhaust the credible options with a proven premier league record I think

Do they need to have a proven Premier League record?

Benteke didn't.  How about we go and get the next one of them if we do sell the current one.

[RussellC]

Get the sense that Austin to Newcastle is getting closer

If we do need to replace benteke that would pretty much exhaust the credible options with a proven premier league record I think

Do they need to have a proven Premier League record?

Benteke didn't.  How about we go and get the next one of them if we do sell the current one.

Risky though isn't it? For every Benteke we've found in recent years, there's a Luna, Tonev, Helenius, etc. If we were Stoke, West Ham, or any side with a squad already capable of comfortably finishing mid-table then I'd tend to agree that would be the best way forward, but we're not.

At present, we face the prospect of losing Vlaar, Cleverley and Benteke from our current squad. At this stage, I'd much rather we spent money to bring in players with proven Premiership quality than continue to look for hidden gems in Europe.

[ozzjim]

Adebayor will be the man 😕

[mattjpa]

I don't think we would sanction his wages

[Matt Collins]

Very happy to look in foreign markets for a new benteke. The problem is if it doesn't come off we're fucked. Ideally we would get two in - one proven and one with potential to be better.

But aside from Ricky lambert who I rate but is clearly ageing, I can't think of any others.

[mr underhill]

for me personally if we signed either Lambert or Adebayor I would give up football and start following professional cribbage

[passitsideways]

Get the sense that Austin to Newcastle is getting closer

If we do need to replace benteke that would pretty much exhaust the credible options with a proven premier league record I think

Do they need to have a proven Premier League record?

Benteke didn't.  How about we go and get the next one of them if we do sell the current one.

Risky though isn't it? For every Benteke we've found in recent years, there's a Luna, Tonev, Helenius, etc. If we were Stoke, West Ham, or any side with a squad already capable of comfortably finishing mid-table then I'd tend to agree that would be the best way forward, but we're not.

At present, we face the prospect of losing Vlaar, Cleverley and Benteke from our current squad. At this stage, I'd much rather we spent money to bring in players with proven Premiership quality than continue to look for hidden gems in Europe.

Yes, but who with proven Premiership quality, especially in relation to scoring goals, is out there, and willing to come to us? Austin is one, but the chances aren't great. That leaves you hunting in a market where Shane bloody Long costs 12 million.

I think what we need to do is find someone who has the ability and the record in a good foreign league to properly warrant paying 5+ million, and then pay it - no more flyers on players from second-tier leagues, please. Yeah, maybe it doesn't work out, but I doubt the probability of success with that approach is any better if sticking exclusively to the EPL.

[Damo70]

for me personally if we signed either Lambert or Adebayor I would give up football and start following professional cribbage

I think with Lambert at least you know what you are getting. Effort and a reasonable amount of goals if he plays regularly. You also know what you are getting with Adebayor. A load or hassle, probably sooner as opposed to later.

[RussellC]

for me personally if we signed either Lambert or Adebayor I would give up football and start following professional cribbage

I think with Lambert at least you know what you are getting. Effort and a reasonable amount of goals if he plays regularly. You also know what you are getting with Adebayor. A load or hassle, probably sooner as opposed to later.

But if we're going to look at spending circa £3million and around £40k-£50k per week on 33 year-old Rickie Lambert, we'd be mad not to look at spending £10-£15m and a similar salary on 25 year-old Charlie Austin, a player with both time and re-sale value on his side.

[alan_clarke]

Nothing is guaranteed - Soldado's record before he came to Spurs, in Europe's top league was fantastic (despite the fee they paid), but he has returned very little in goals.

[paul_e]

Get the sense that Austin to Newcastle is getting closer

If we do need to replace benteke that would pretty much exhaust the credible options with a proven premier league record I think

Do they need to have a proven Premier League record?

Benteke didn't.  How about we go and get the next one of them if we do sell the current one.

Risky though isn't it? For every Benteke we've found in recent years, there's a Luna, Tonev, Helenius, etc. If we were Stoke, West Ham, or any side with a squad already capable of comfortably finishing mid-table then I'd tend to agree that would be the best way forward, but we're not.

At present, we face the prospect of losing Vlaar, Cleverley and Benteke from our current squad. At this stage, I'd much rather we spent money to bring in players with proven Premiership quality than continue to look for hidden gems in Europe.

Yes, but who with proven Premiership quality, especially in relation to scoring goals, is out there, and willing to come to us? Austin is one, but the chances aren't great. That leaves you hunting in a market where Shane bloody Long costs 12 million.

I think what we need to do is find someone who has the ability and the record in a good foreign league to properly warrant paying 5+ million, and then pay it - no more flyers on players from second-tier leagues, please. Yeah, maybe it doesn't work out, but I doubt the probability of success with that approach is any better if sticking exclusively to the EPL.

We all saw first hand the glass ceiling of signing players with proven premier league experience, yes we finished 6th but it took 4-5 seasons to balance the books after that and we have fuck all to show for it.  The market within the league is a joke where Lallana for £25m and Stirling and Kane for £50m are the punchlines. Austin is about the only striker in the premier league that offers anything like value for money in the market we're looking at, so if he's going elsewhere then we're going to have to go abroad.

There's a few options for quality young strikers in europe who will cost half (or less) of what we can get for Benteke, they're the only reasonable options for us.  The key is to get the midfield scoring goals so whoever we do bring in isn't the only goal threat.  I've heard lots of good things about Yassine Benzia from a guy at our french office when I asked about good young players over there.  Only has a year on his contract and doesn't seem to be linked with anyone so wouldn't cost a huge amount.  I've only seen him on youtube but he looks decent and he has a very good scoring record (roughly 1 in 2 for Lyon).

[Matt Collins]

I think we definitely should be in for Austin. We might get timed out though.

[ozzjim]

I like Austin as a striker, but think he will go up to try and be the saviour of the toon by the looks of it.