January 2016 - Transfer Rumours, Speculation & Suggestions

[john e]

if Garde wants to follow in Wengers steps he needs to fish out a Patrick Viera and an Emmanual Petit from his homeland in this window

Remember though that Wenger inherited one the best defences in top flight history and he added some great players to it. It would be great to find the best Viera but he has so many other things to fix. We literally need a new GK, CB and right back let alone our issues at LB. if Richards goes to RB or can play with Okore maybe that solves a piece of the issues but the defence is a shambles right now.

I don't actually think he's going to do it, but would be nice

[joecrow]

I see john ruddy was dropped a few weeks back for norwich. Seemed a decent keeper not long ago.

[FatSam]

We had Mandanda on trial a few years ago if I remember correctly

Yes, another one of MON's masterstrokes.

[ozzjim]

Linked with Wahbi Kharzi from Bordeaux and Morgan Amalfatano. The later would be a good signing on a free in my opinion. The former I haven't a clue who he is!!

[FatSam]

The Mirror are linking us with Bordeaux attacking midfielder Wahbi Khazri, as well as Mandanda and former Belgium Under-21 keeper Colin Coosemans of KV Mechelen.

Remi Garde has targeted Bordeaux attacking midfielder Wahbi Khazri as part of his January spending.

The 24-year-old, however, wants release clauses in any deal as he fears they are doomed.

Khazri has scored six goals this season and contributed to a total of 11 in the French league.

He hit nine and made five last season.

Villa boss Garde is also after a new goalkeeper.

Mirror Sport revealed last week that he had been alerted to former Belgium Under-21 keeper Colin Coosemans.

Steve Mandanda, of Marseilles, is also an option.

HITC are linking us with Morgan Amalfitano who left West Ham by mutual consent in October.

Aston Villa are set to rival Lille for the signature of former West Ham United midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, according to RMC Sport.

Amalfitano, 30, is currently a free agent after leaving West Ham by mutual consent in October following a falling out with manager Slaven Bilic over a “breach of club rules”.

The French playmaker, who only signed a new two-year deal at the Boleyn Ground in March, has since been linked with a number of sides, and the latest reports suggest that Lille have been in contact with him about a return to Ligue 1.

However, RMC Sport claims that the former Marseille man could be tempted back to England instead when the winter transfer window opens next month, with Villa manager Remi Garde also said to have reached out to him amid his efforts to bolster his struggling side.

Amalfitano has already played one season in the Midlands previously, having spent the 2013-14 campaign on loan at West Bromwich Albion from Marseille, before later securing a permanent switch to the Premier League in September 2014 when he joined West Ham for an undisclosed fee.

The one-time capped international went on to record three goals and three assists in 32 total appearances during his time in east London, while showing several flashes of brilliance, but his inconsistent performances saw him fail to establish himself as a regular starter.

Nevertheless, with his playmaking skills, Premier League experience and ability to play a variety of midfield positions, he could well end up proving a solid addition for a Villa side that have struggled to create chances throughout the season, while the lack of a transfer fee comes as an obvious plus.

However, whether Garde can convince his compatriot to come to the club in their current predicament – 10 points from safety at the bottom of the table after taking just seven points from 17 games – obviously remains to be seen.

[peter w]

I'm a big fan of Amalfitano but recognise he'd be a huge risk. Plus I'm sure he's also a player who is great for a game or two but then disappears for a bit. But in our situation you'd take the winning game bit for a start and hope it starts getting the other decent players we do have playing on the front foot. What have we got to lose by gambling on him? Relegation?

[ozzjim]

Well quite. I think he would add something a bit more creative than we have or at least than Garde trusts.

If Gil goes back to Spain  (and who would blame him - his record in the side is abysmal despite his obvious talent) then we need some more creativity

[FatSam]

I'm torn between wanting wholesale changes and wanting to keep a settled side in order for the players that we have to develop an understanding with each other.

Amalfitano didn't seem to make much of an impact at West Ham last year, and we do have attacking midfielders already. However, he is available, and might be able to carry out the manager's instructions on the pitch more effectively than what we have now, or fit a particular way of playing. 

Khazri has an impressive highlights reel on YouTube, and has a pretty good goals to game ratio for an attacking midfielder. At 24 he's got a bit more experience than the likes of Grealish and Traore as well.

I know they're just rumours, but other than Toulalan, I'm yet to see us linked with any encouraging defenders, defensive midfielders, or strikers.

[Toronto Villa]

going by what happened over the summer it's probably safe to say we won't sign any of the players the papers have us linked with.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's noticeable we haven't been linked with Messi in the papers.

*taps nose*

[Toronto Villa]

It's noticeable we haven't been linked with Messi in the papers.

*taps nose*

quite. And I noticed Ronaldo was quite unhappy not getting a hat trick in the recent 10-2 win. I heard he wants out and for a real (not Real) challenge.

*wink wink*

[jwarry]

A Messi Khazi would be nice though

[Toronto Villa]

A Messi Khazi would be nice though

Well we've provided everyone with football worthy of a khazi this season.

[Brian Taylor]

We are in the khazi..can't get much worse. Can it?..eh? Eh? Carry on up the Khazi, or was it Khyber?

[SoccerHQ]

Sam Byram has been linked today.

I think that's the sort we have to be signing tbh. It would be a realistic signing baring in mind where we could be next year. He is a very good player at that level for Leeds.

Right back although can play in other positions if needed. Out of contract in the summer. Pretty sure he's been linked to us before.