Adama Traore - CONFIRMED

[paul_e]

So Mali (if true or it happens), Ghana, maybe Mali, Senegal...not sure I'm too keen on that many Africans in the team who would be potentially first-team players.

Any particular reason, or just a bit of casual racism?

I assume African Cup of Nations concerns.  The thing is, on average, they miss 3 games.  Not ideal but I can live with it if it means we're getting higher quality players.

[peter w]

'On average'. It could be more coul;d be less. Okay if one or two go but when it's potentially nearly half the team its a bit different.

[LeeB]

But isn't this geezer a Spanish U19 international?

[cdbearsfan]

We wouldn't be bereft. He might not play for Mali anyway seeing as he's Spanish. It would only be a few weeks, including a couple of FA Cup rounds where we often rest players regardless.

We have other players who can replace Gueye, Traore and Ayew. Gestede would be more difficult to cover if the African Nations Cup happened tomorrow. It doesn't though. It's in 2017. We'll have another forward in by then and not all our African players' respective nations will qualify in any case.

[Toronto Villa]

Why is the fee being reported as 12M ?

Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez has previously revealed Adama has a €6m release clause.

Which would, I assume, equate to the £4m mentioned earlier ??

Isn't it only being reported as £12m by the Daily Mail? Who shouldnt' be relied on for anything other than pictures of footballers' girlfriends on holiday.

Everywhere else seems to be saying around £4m.

As I said before about the Daily Mail, if they wrote a column about us signing three blokes called Jordan I wouldn't believe it.

[Toronto Villa]

But isn't this geezer a Spanish U19 international?

yes, he qualifies for Spain. Though with a last name like that he could declare for a senior team elsewhere right? French even if he has any links there?

[LeeB]

But isn't this geezer a Spanish U19 international?

yes, he qualifies for Spain. Though with a last name like that he could declare for a senior team elsewhere right? French even if he has any links there?

He doesn't just qualify, he was born there.

[Dave]

But isn't this geezer a Spanish U19 international?

yes, he qualifies for Spain. Though with a last name like that he could declare for a senior team elsewhere right? French even if he has any links there?

He doesn't just qualify, he was born there.

But he has declared that he's going to play his international football for Mali*.

So...

*or at least the Malian FA say that he has.

[Marlon's Hairy Wood]

http://www.heroesandvillains.info/forumv3/index.php?topic=54042.msg2885517#msg2885517

 

Wow..nice one JJ.. ITK?

[Vegas]

Whatever, bring 'em on I say.  Worrying about the African cup of nations - a biannual event that could take players out for about 3 games, if they qualify - strikes me as the epitome of 'glass half emptiness'. I love the fact we're getting a fair few quality, young players in on long-ish contracts. If s couple of them bugger off for a few weeks, a year in January, so be it.

[onje_villa]

Wow, if this comes off we can hardly complain about a lack of exciting players at the club.

I for one am delighted with how the window has gone, some people are saying if we sign 3 more players it will have been a "decent window". Come on guys! We've signed practically a whole new team, mainly of exciting, highly-rated young European players.

Now I'm sure there will be issues with bedding in and perhaps it's not all going to be roses but bloody hell just cast your minds back to some of the matchday squads these last few seasons, no excitement, no flair, not so now!

[el león Benidorm]

According to Talkshite - yep I know, but it's all I can get here in Spain - he is on his way overnight to discuss terms and have a medical tomorrow!

[Concrete John]

Whatever, bring 'em on I say.  Worrying about the African cup of nations - a biannual event that could take players out for about 3 games, if they qualify - strikes me as the epitome of 'glass half emptiness'. I love the fact we're getting a fair few quality, young players in on long-ish contracts. If s couple of them bugger off for a few weeks, a year in January, so be it.

It would make a nice change to actually miss a player rather than think 'shit not him again' every week.

[Marlon From Bearwood]

According to Twitter (yes, I know) the two different prices could be down to whether or not a buy-back clause for Barca is included. ie. With a clause its £6m. Without one its £12m.

[Chris Jameson]

But Howard Hodgson has announced the signing, you'd think Villa would be the first to announce anything.

sent from my yacht.