2024 January transfer window - hopes, needs, expectations and rumours.

[JUAN PABLO]

I could see Philogene coming back. Emery seemed to really like him in the summer but let him go out because he couldn't guarantee the gametime. I know there's the clause Hull have talked about but I suspect there's more to it and he'll be back either this summer or next, so long as we still want him.

I think he is really good.  Id love him back.  out the 3 I would want him.

[OCD]

The way it is going, FFP may become a tactic/strategy against other clubs.

Make a verbal agreement to purchase a player and then renege at a later date. Contrive not to buy any player from a certain club and bugger them up financially etc

Instead of fully focusing on gaining points in the league, some clubs might be thinking their opponents getting an FFP deduction is equally as important.

Wouldn't be beyond the Levy's, Glazers, oil rich clubs of this world!!!!

Just a thought

1) That's not a strategy that will be easy to repeat and 2) if club's are guillable enough to take action on the basis of a verbal agreement then they deserve what they get.

[ASHTONVILLA]

I was hoping we might clear a few players out on proper transfers, rather than loans to be able to bring one or two in. Whilst getting Dendoncker's wages off the books will help a little, we can't commit to any replacement as we will have to plan for him to come back.

I am off to Zimbabwe / South Africa for a couple of weeks tomorrow and am unlikely to have much internet access, hopefully, I come back to a surprise signing or two.

[Brazilian Villain]

am off to Zimbabwe / South Africa for a couple of weeks tomorrow and am unlikely to have much internet access, hopefully, I come back to a surprise signing or two.

Don't forget to pack a Villa shirt in case it's Benni McCarthy.

[ASHTONVILLA]

am off to Zimbabwe / South Africa for a couple of weeks tomorrow and am unlikely to have much internet access, hopefully, I come back to a surprise signing or two.

Don't forget to pack a Villa shirt in case it's Benni McCarthy.

We have not had much luck with African signings. I remember getting excited about Nii Lampty when BFR called him the 'African Pele', only to be disappointed.

Djemba Djemba, Salifou, Samatta, Nakamba. It isn't a great list is it? Must be due a Drogba or a Weah at some point. Don't think Zimbabwean tobacco farms are the best place to scout players though.

[PaulWinch again]

If Philogene ever gets above the level of mid-table premier league, at best, I’ll be surprised. He looks alright, and good luck to him, but don’t think he looks like a top level game changer.

[MalcolmP]

If Philogene ever gets above the level of mid-table premier league, at best, I’ll be surprised. He looks alright, and good luck to him, but don’t think he looks like a top level game changer.

i'm glad you are not our scout, given the opportunity i think he is a top level player

[PaulWinch again]

If Philogene ever gets above the level of mid-table premier league, at best, I’ll be surprised. He looks alright, and good luck to him, but don’t think he looks like a top level game changer.

i'm glad you are not our scout, given the opportunity i think he is a top level player

We’ll see won’t we, and if he is great, but the odds are against it.

[eamonn]

It's a pity we can't recall Sanson. He'd get decent game-time now and he's in-form.

[tomd2103]

I keep telling myself that we are in a great position, but it still feels deep down like a bubble burst a bit at that Sheffield United game and it's all been a bit deflated since.

[DrGonzo]

It's a pity we can't recall Sanson. He'd get decent game-time now and he's in-form.

I think we'd struggle to get him back regardless.

“It was complicated because I was injured nine to ten months out of my first twelve months there,” he said.

“I had a series of injuries and I had Covid twice. Nothing worked out for me. I made the decision to leave when Unai Emery arrived, even though he would have liked to keep me.

“I told him that me and Aston Villa were over. Something there was wrong.

“I was sure of myself and my qualities but certain things went very badly with a coach at Aston Villa, it was a bit unfair. The problem is that it was Steven Gerrard who arrived instead of Unai Emery.”

[Smithy]

If Philogene ever gets above the level of mid-table premier league, at best, I’ll be surprised. He looks alright, and good luck to him, but don’t think he looks like a top level game changer.

In his first six months at Hull, he's performing about as well as Eberechi Eze did for QPR in the Championship at the same age.  Similarly tricky, eye for a goal, creates chances and is a bit unpredictable - and also prone to having pretty quiet games that comes with the territory with young players.  He's very well thought of in Championship circles, and is often mentioned when people talk about the best signing of the season down there.

If he has Eze's ceiling, then he'll definitely be back at some point.  It might not be this season, but if he keeps on like he is, he will be subject to premier league transfer speculation in the summer, guaranteed.

[eamonn]

It's a pity we can't recall Sanson. He'd get decent game-time now and he's in-form.

I think we'd struggle to get him back regardless.

“It was complicated because I was injured nine to ten months out of my first twelve months there,” he said.

“I had a series of injuries and I had Covid twice. Nothing worked out for me. I made the decision to leave when Unai Emery arrived, even though he would have liked to keep me.

“I told him that me and Aston Villa were over. Something there was wrong.

“I was sure of myself and my qualities but certain things went very badly with a coach at Aston Villa, it was a bit unfair. The problem is that it was Steven Gerrard who arrived instead of Unai Emery.”

Blimey...where are those quotes from? Never seen him be so vocal about the situation. A real shame he didn't see Unai coming in as a chance to thrive.

[DrGonzo]

RMC Sport, sorry should have attributed that quote.

[Gareth]

We all share his view on that idiot Gerrard not being Unai