Summer transfer, gossip, speculation and the usual butter ollocks thread

[Steve67]

Alan Nixon, oh so reliable, telling people that we are minted but need a big one to get it all going.  Said the other day we are going to spend a LOT of money.  Might be some merit in what he's saying in terms of 'getting it going' as I suspect Villa want to open with a marquee signing to get other players thinking we mean business.  Perhaps the Trippier thing might have something in it after all?

[algy]

Our main targets might also be the players that other clubs will allow to leave once they have their own targets signed and sealed.  Perhaps Tammy Abraham is one such player but we have to wait until Fwank has signed Havertz et al.

Yeah, that's my take on it too.

I'm not worried at the moment, it's not as if there's a week to go until the transfer window shuts, and we have been pretty active - just with players for the U23 and ladies sides!

[ozzjim]

Keep saying it, but we need our Gullit or Robinho type moment. That player that makes the others go yep, that's where I am going. The other option is to change the manager and go for a proper name like Poch that players will want to go and play for.

[ozzjim]

Did I hear right?  Everton have put a £140m price tag on Richarlison?!

184 was quoted in one rag. I wouldn't swap him for McGinn let alone Jack.

[dicedlam]

Might be some merit in what he's saying in terms of 'getting it going' as I suspect Villa want to open with a marquee signing to get other players thinking we mean business.  Perhaps the Trippier thing might have something in it after all?

I should hope if we are looking at bringing in a 'marquee' player it is someone better than a 30-year-old right back who is probably England's 4th choice right-back behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker.

[Monty]

If the stories about Watkins are to be believed he has an £18m release clause but they seemingly want to just forget that and ask for £25m - not sure how that works.

We've been sucked into a bidding war?

[ChicagoLion]

Might be some merit in what he's saying in terms of 'getting it going' as I suspect Villa want to open with a marquee signing to get other players thinking we mean business.  Perhaps the Trippier thing might have something in it after all?

I should hope if we are looking at bringing in a 'marquee' player it is someone better than a 30-year-old right back who is probably England's 4th choice right-back behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker.

If he is anything like the player he was, he would be ahead of 2 of those and a long way behind one of them.

[SoccerHQ]

Might be some merit in what he's saying in terms of 'getting it going' as I suspect Villa want to open with a marquee signing to get other players thinking we mean business.  Perhaps the Trippier thing might have something in it after all?

I should hope if we are looking at bringing in a 'marquee' player it is someone better than a 30-year-old right back who is probably England's 4th choice right-back behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, Wan-Bissaka and Kyle Walker.

He was starting a CL QF 10 days ago and is first choice for one of the best teams in europe is another way to spin it.

I don't think Trippier is very likely at all so no idea where that link came from but he would be marquee in my book as he's miles better than Gulibert or AEM.

Tammy Abraham would be another. Ultimately a marquee signing would cost 40m + unless we go for an older head on two year deal like a Giroud type.

[LeeB]

If the stories about Watkins are to be believed he has an £18m release clause but they seemingly want to just forget that and ask for £25m - not sure how that works.

We've been sucked into a bidding war?

We'll now have to consult our warchest, prepare our bid further, and as long as Brentford are braced sufficiently something may happen.

[jwarry]

Suspect it will take £40m to get the striker we need, be it Edouard or Abraham or someone we have never heard of a la Wesley.  Not sure Watkins is what we need unless he came as well

[kippaxvilla2]

If the stories about Watkins are to be believed he has an £18m release clause but they seemingly want to just forget that and ask for £25m - not sure how that works.

We've been sucked into a bidding war?

We'll now have to consult our warchest, prepare our bid further, and as long as Brentford are braced sufficiently something may happen.

We are preparing a bid to test their resolve.

[Mister E]

Suspect it will take £40m to get the striker we need, be it Edouard or Abraham or someone we have never heard of a la Wesley.  Not sure Watkins is what we need unless he came as well

I definitely see Watkins as a "in addition to ..." player, being able to play wide and through the middle.
He and one of Tammy, C Wilson or Edouard (although I really don't know much about the latter) would work; and then either Rashica or Benrhama.
And a CMF.
And possibly a new LB / CB.

[algy]

Suspect it will take £40m to get the striker we need, be it Edouard or Abraham or someone we have never heard of a la Wesley.  Not sure Watkins is what we need unless he came as well

I definitely see Watkins as a "in addition to ..." player, being able to play wide and through the middle.
He and one of Tammy, C Wilson or Edouard (although I really don't know much about the latter) would work; and then either Rashica or Benrhama.
And a CMF.
And possibly a new LB / CB.

Yeah, that's how I'd see it.  Main striker option as Edouard/Tammy + Wesley, with Watkins playing as either third choice striker or out wide as needed.

[paul_e]

Suspect it will take £40m to get the striker we need, be it Edouard or Abraham or someone we have never heard of a la Wesley.  Not sure Watkins is what we need unless he came as well

I definitely see Watkins as a "in addition to ..." player, being able to play wide and through the middle.
He and one of Tammy, C Wilson or Edouard (although I really don't know much about the latter) would work; and then either Rashica or Benrhama.
And a CMF.
And possibly a new LB / CB.

Yeah, that's how I'd see it.  Main striker option as Edouard/Tammy + Wesley, with Watkins playing as either third choice striker or out wide as needed.

I'd agree with that. If by the end of the window we're looking at wide and up front options of:

Grealish, Trez, AEG, {Rashica}
{Watkins}
Wesley, Samatta/Davis, {New Striker}

Then I reckon we're in a strong position. The main striker is the problem because I think Tammy will be too expensive, I have no idea whether Edouard is good enough and I don't rate Wilson. As I've said before Kevin Volland would be my choice, I think he'd be a perfect fit for what we need up front.

[ChicagoLion]

As DW said, get the best centre forward we can and then spend the change on strengthening where possible. Next priority is a wide attacking option.