The January New Manager Warchest Transfer Thread

[Smithy]

Sounds like we've been talking to Juve for at least a week, aren't far apart in valuations and Spurs enquire as to whether he's available for a loan. What jokers.

I find the fact that Conte wants him in his squad oddly reassuring. He will have seen him up close and personal in Serie A for a few years. 

Maybe it's the long history of disastrous Villa-style transfers that always seems to get me worried when we're linked to a player that nobody else seems to want.  I guess I have to change that now, given we seem to have been so good at recruiting since we were promoted, but being good at transfers still doesn't feel very 'Villa'...

[IFWaters]

So assuming we can sign Bentancur, our 25 man squad would look like this ?

Goalies - Martinez, Olsen, Steer
Centrebacks - Mings, Konsa, Hause, Chambers
Leftbacks - Digne, Targett
Rightbacks - Cash, Young (?)
DCM - Bentancur , Marv
Centre Mids - Luiz, McGinn, Sanson, Ramsey, Chuk
Attacking Mid / Winger - Coutinho, Buendia, Bailey, Traore, Trez ?
Striker - Watkins, Ings

Personally I would keep Young for his experience and flexibility, sell or loan Trez out and get Guilbert back in - good enough for a place in this squad I think. But I'm assuming thats not possible until end of the season. Im not convinced he wants to be here either.

[London Villan]

Chuck and Ramsey don't count do they?

[john e]

I’m not convinced by our midfield as a whole so I expect there to be changes over the next couple of windows and it won’t be Ramsey.

It’s the best midfield we’ve had for at least 10 years imo

That's not saying much.

Ha ha, true the bar is not set high
But for me there’s no real weak links In the midfield squad at the moment they all interlink and overlap quite well

I’m not saying there aren’t better midfielders playing for top teams, but I think our midfield is pretty strong at the moment, certainly compared to central defence and centre forwards

[LeeB]

So if Arsenal didn't bid for Luis who did?  Newcastle?

I suspect so

Well the price of 30m rules out about 2 thirds of the Premiership. Could be Tottingham Hotspurts maybe.

A bit off the wall but one of my Dingles supporting mates thinks it may be Wolves who are the secret bidders for Luiz, as he reckons Neves is agitating for a move to Arsenal this window, but they want the bid on the down low as the Wolves fans will apparently go postal if it gets out ? Sounds a bit far fetched to me, but hey ho ?

Is he allowed out at weekends?

[IFWaters]

To London Villan, you are right Chuk and Ramsey count as U21s which I think you are allowed an extra5 to the main 25 player squad. I counted them as I just see them as senior squad quality. But yes we could sign another couple of senior players.

[Chris_Jephcott]

I’m of the view Bentancur is a smokescreen for something else. But I know nothing just a feeling in me waters.

Hope it's not gout

I’m currently medically signed off from flying for a few weeks with Gallstones. I would sincerely hope that it’s not those too. I wouldn’t recommend them to my worst enemy

Having done the gallstones / pancreatitis thing I would very much concur Chris - get well soon

Thank you very much! I’m off to the consultant on Monday, but been told that to get flying again, I need it out. So that’s my next few weeks sorted then!

[Drummond]

I had it done 20 years ago. Ridiculous pain from gallstones. I spoken to my mother in law at the time who said as far as she was concerned it was more painful than childbirth. So now I casually trot that line out to my wife or whichever woman may be moaning l, whenever I am drunk enough not to care about the repercussions...

[Richard E]

Having had gallstones and my gall bladder out as a result I’d agree that it was by a million miles the most pain I’ve ever experienced.

[Ger Regan]

Talk that lyon are interested in Bentancur with Guimaeres going to the geordies. You'd hope that we'd be a more attractive option for him given our potential.

[darren woolley]

I hope we can get this Bentancur deal over the line this weekend.

[N'ZMAV]

Talk that lyon are interested in Bentancur with Guimaeres going to the geordies. You'd hope that we'd be a more attractive option for him given our potential.

unless we're flogging Lyon Dougie Luiz - a merry-go-round

[ozzjim]

Can't believe Newcastle are getting that deal over the line. Bastards.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Talk that lyon are interested in Bentancur with Guimaeres going to the geordies. You'd hope that we'd be a more attractive option for him given our potential.

unless we're flogging Lyon Dougie Luiz - a merry-go-round

Gregg Evans reckons we'll listen to offers for Luiz.

[N'ZMAV]

Irony.

Wouldn't listen to a word that Sandwell Town fans says