27 Years ago - Lineker too expensive for Ellis

[Chico Hamilton III]

Pounds 4 million deal is too restrictive

DENNIS SHAW


28 November 1988

The Times

T

English

© 1988 Times Newspapers Ltd. All rights reserved


Aston Villa yesterday reluctantly abandoned their negotiations to sign Gary Lineker from Barcelona as the transfer package approached Pounds 4 million. Three weeks of talks between Juan Gasparti, the Barcelona vice-president, and Doug Ellis, the Villa chairman, reached a stalemate as Villa decided the price was too high.

Ironically, Lineker redsicovered his best form yesterday, scoring two goals and making another as Barcelona moved into second place in the Spanish League with a 3-1 victory over Murcia. A decision to withdraw was reached between Ellis and his club's manager, Graham Taylor, after Taylor had spoken with Lineker and the England forward's agent.

Villa's overall bill would have included a Pounds 2.5 million transfer fee, Pounds 1 million for the four unexpired years of the player's contract, plus other costs.

Ellis said that Villa went close to finalizing a deal on Friday, but had then decided that the overall costs would restrict them financially in other plans.

[Holte L2]

Who was our record signing at the time? Paul Rideout?

[Chico Hamilton III]

Who was our record signing at the time? Paul Rideout?

Rideout was never our record signing was he? we paid more for Peter Withe

[Holte L2]

Who was our record signing at the time? Paul Rideout?

Rideout was never our record signing was he? we paid more for Peter Withe

Who took over the mantle of our record signing post Withe? I assumed it was Rideout.

[PeterWithesShin]

It was still Withe at that time at £500K. Then it was Ormondroyd for £650K when we signed him in Jan 1989 (I think it was).

[PeterWithesShin]

IIRC Rideout was about £200K.

[Chico Hamilton III]

I remember going to see Rideout score a hat trick for England Schoolboys against Scotland at Wembley ( 1980?). No exaggeration, one of his goals was from about 80 yards out.....

England still lost, 5-4

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I remember going to see Rideout score a hat trick for England Schoolboys against Scotland at Wembley ( 1980?). No exaggeration, one of his goals was from about 80 yards out.....

England still lost, 5-4

This one, Chico?

[Richard E]

Doesn't sound like Doug at all, this. Are you sure it's real? ;-)

[dave.woodhall]

It was still Withe at that time at £500K. Then it was Ormondroyd for £650K when we signed him in Jan 1989 (I think it was).

Sounds right.

[TopDeck113]

How much did Spurs pay for him the following summer?  I seem to recall a bidding war between them and Fergie.

[olaftab]

I think with Lineker in the team we would have been champions in 1990.

[dave.woodhall]

I think with Lineker in the team we would have been champions in 1990.

We wouldn't have bought anyone for the next two years, so no McGrath.

[TopDeck113]

I think with Lineker in the team we would have been champions in 1990.

Have you factored in the stat that he never scored at Villa Park?

[Holte L2]

When you think that Gazza and Cottee both moved for record fees of £2m in 1988, it’s no surprise Villa couldn’t spend £4m on Lineker.