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

[Gareth]

Seen Dawson (the current Watford, ex WBA centre half) linked with Burnleh for less than £5 million this week.

Must admit I haven’t followed his career all that closely at Watford and maybe his game has fallen off the edge of a cliff.

But at that price I’d bite.

Experienced centre half cover but still illustrates we have faith in the current CB pairing.

A player in his prime coming in for £10 million plus will be expecting first team football.

Possible but been relegated with Albion and Watford in 2 out of the last 3 seasons. Obviously not all his fault but lower end prem, top half championship player, not sure he’s any better than hause or Engels.

Cathcart is by far the best centre half at Watford, way better than Dawson but not sure he’d fancy the gig of 3rd/4th or 5th choice

[Villafirst]

Benrahma close to Wet Spam move according to Sky Sports? Should Villa move for him? Surely an upgrade on AEG?

[darren woolley]

Josh King for me.

Me too.

[rougegorge]

Benrahma close to Wet Spam move according to Sky Sports? Should Villa move for him? Surely an upgrade on AEG?

He would certainly be an upgrade and I would have preferred him to Traore, but I think that ship has sailed.

We do need decent backup though, as if we lose our top players for any length of time, there is a significant gap to some of the reserves. Go for Josh King.

[LukeJames]

I just dont see much in Benrahma except neat flicks and tricks, I feel he will score the odd occasional wonder goal but get dominated most weeks in the Prem.

King would be sensible as he can cover all across the front line.

[Steve67]

King over Benrahma for me too.  I don't doubt that Dean Smith would get a tune out of him but King has already proven himself capable at this level.

[Gareth]

I just dont see much in Benrahma except neat flicks and tricks, I feel he will score the odd occasional wonder goal but get dominated most weeks in the Prem.

King would be sensible as he can cover all across the front line.

Me too, I see a Knockeart type of player, definitely got those neat flicks & tricks when you’re on the front foot but a complete luxury when defending - be interesting to see if he can step up from being a star in the Championship to being useful in Prem

[eamonn]

I'd have Bowen and Benrahma over Trez and Traore to be honest but think we have a better goalie, defence, central midfield and striker than West Ham.

[aj2k77]

King for possibly under £10m or Benrahma for closer to £30m.... I know what I'd prefer.

[villa for life]

But most are reporting the fee will be closer to half of that for Benrahma..

Got the feeling Smith and the owners would have had no problem paying the 17/18million if that had been the amount quoted a month or so ago, but at that point Brentford wanted much more....

Just unlucky with the timing, I think..

[algy]

I think we're probably done for transfers this window. Think we've had a really good window, and strengthened in the areas that we needed to. For me, the focus now would be to sort out whatever arrangement with had over Douglas Luiz and getting Lansbury & Kalinic off the books.

[PaulWinch again]

I'd have Bowen and Benrahma over Trez and Traore to be honest but think we have a better goalie, defence, central midfield and striker than West Ham.

I think Trez is bedding in really nicely now and I’d say it’s way too early to decide on Traore.

[Risso]

I'd definitely go for King as well.  We're an injury to Watkins away from having the second season in a row with no proper striker up front, and that would be unforgivable if it happened.

[exigo]

Daniel Levy's legendary negotiating skills set to secure Ollie Watkins. Oh, wait...
Football Insider linky

[fredm]

I just dont see much in Benrahma except neat flicks and tricks, I feel he will score the odd occasional wonder goal but get dominated most weeks in the Prem.

King would be sensible as he can cover all across the front line.

Watching the play off final last season and said then that if it was a choice between Watkins and Benrahma then it was Watkins every time for me.  Thought Benrahma was a "luxury" player who looked good when every thing was going for him but not as effective when the chips were down.  Think he will get worked out in the PL.