Summer transfer madness thread

[eamonn]

I dreamt last night that Gareth Barry gave an interview to the Sun admitting he was torn between the choice of going back to Villa to finish his career and atone for any misunderstanding brought about in the past or being Jose Mourinho's first choice for the left back position since Luke Shaw has shit for brains.

[tomd2103]

Let's just hope he wants to swap his current situation for a team languishing half -way up the Championship. And one where the fans have been mostly anything but negative towards him.

With good reason to be fair.  No way he would drop to the Championship though, as he would have plenty of offers in the top flight.

[tomd2103]

We do need to utilise RHM and Green, as Ozz says, they can massively help us I think.

Definitely. We also need a central midfielder who can drive forward with the ball. We are so static at times that not only are we very easy to set up against we're bloody awful to watch. Where would we be without Kodija creating silk purses.

I think a target man who can hold the ball up is the key for us.  If we did have that type of player, it would allow the likes of Lansbury, Hourihane and Bjarnason to come on to the ball in the final third, with a defensive midfielder sweeping up behind them.  Add a good winger to rotate with Green and Adomah and I think we would look a lot better going forward.     

[cheltenhamlion]

We desperately need the ball to stick up front. I would be amazed if we didn't sign a lump the rest can play off in the summer.

[ozzjim]

If Derby are happy to sell Ince I would make him a priority. 8 to 10m maybe, but scores goals from out wide and would walk into our team.

Agree on a target man. We were linked heavily with the lad Blackburn have from Southampton. Davis looked capable against Brighton though.

[eamonn]

I'd rather get Jack firing than having to manage another erratic, young attack-minded player.

Has Carlos' move/fee to Fiorentina been confirmed? I'm pretty impressed if we got £2.5m for him. Added to whatever loan fee we received last summer, we must have recouped our spend on him and he's in his 30's now, I think. That and the fees we got for Gestede and Westwood make me a lot more confident in negotiations with clubs we are selling to, unlike under Lerner, where we took a haircut on a host of players when they left.

[Villatillidie25]

very true. I think Gil and Sanchez will be off for sure (think Sanchez is a done deal as he played enough games). I'd try to keep Veretout but it sounds like he is the one who has played really well while away - hopefully that means we get £4-£5m for him. Those 3 alone should fetch nearly £10m.
If we can get rid of Richards, Gabby, Gardner and one of Hutton/De Laet (shame on De Laet if it's him), maybe cash in on Amavi then we should have a few quid to spend on A GK, DC, CM, Winger - although probably not enough so might need to supplement with loans/frees

[mr underhill]

why should we consider selling a player who suffered a season long injury? Surely De Laet should be given the opportunity to see what he can do?

[peter w]

Watched a bit of the Monaco - St Etienne second half yesterday, and I've caught some glimpses of recent St Etienne games on the TV. Last night in particular, but other games too have seemed to pass him by. He's been playing further forward in midfield but has done next to nothing in any game I've seen. Really disappointing. St Etienne have a really fast right winger who looks decent on the ball and can create a chance - but not yet ready for England. To be honest if I was to pick one St Etienne player to join us, based on the bits I've seen it wouldn't be Veretout.

[Lobsterboy]

More than happy to see the back of Richards and Elphick but presume we would need to replace as that would only leave us with Chester and an injury prone Baker at centre back.

The problem is we have a totally lopsided squad so the areas where we would want to get rid e.g the two named above + Gardner + Amavi are all going to need replacing as only have Chester/Baker + Jedinak + Taylor as cover

In short we're in a bit of a mess!

[tomd2103]

More than happy to see the back of Richards and Elphick but presume we would need to replace as that would only leave us with Chester and an injury prone Baker at centre back.

The problem is we have a totally lopsided squad so the areas where we would want to get rid e.g the two named above + Gardner + Amavi are all going to need replacing as only have Chester/Baker + Jedinak + Taylor as cover

In short we're in a bit of a mess!

Wouldn't go that far!!  Not sure what is happening with Samba, but if Jedinak's future is seen at CB then we only really need to get one more in on the proviso that Richards and Elphick go. 

[tomd2103]

why should we consider selling a player who suffered a season long injury? Surely De Laet should be given the opportunity to see what he can do?

I still see De Laet as the starting RB to be honest.  Hutton is the one who needs to be moved on.

[Richard E]

Some suggestions Samba could be off to Small Heath but that might just be Arry trolling us.

[Gareth]

why should we consider selling a player who suffered a season long injury? Surely De Laet should be given the opportunity to see what he can do?

I still see De Laet as the starting RB to be honest.  Hutton is the one who needs to be moved on.

100% - trying hard is not enough - you either have a full back who bombs on and does occasionally create a chance or one who does the primary job of defending properly - neither of which are Hutton's strengths.  He is essentially a pacemaker, runs around at the front but never finishes

[Matt Collins]

I'd completely forgotten about Thor

Look fwd to him keeping green and grealish out of the team