Summer 2024 Transfer Window - hopes, speculation, rumours etc.

[Somniloquism]

My only worry about Barkley (and Phillips / Grealish have shown it as well) is that a good player for a smaller club can look really good as their quality stands out more amongst the dross. When they then play for a team with higher quality, they get found out.

[paul_e]

If we're looking at 2 options then I'd want them to be quite versatile and offer cover in a few different positions, preferably 1 being able to play wide (or maybe even at fullback). We have to keep our squad limits around home-grown and more importantly club-trained players in mind and we've been operating right on the limit for that.

Having Sinisalo replace Olsen in the squad would be a big step in the right direction in that regard but after that there aren't a huge amount of players who we can add to him and Ramsey to fill those spots, this is where keeping hold of Archer or bringing Philogene back has some merit but both would be fringe players for us right now.

[purpletrousers]

I think it's incredibly rare to get a DM who is also good on the ball for anything that isn't an insane amount of money. That's why the Kamara deal was so incredible. Hopefully we can be creative again.

Barkley has stood out for 1 season playing deeper for Luton where he should stand out. If he was 20 then maybe but he's 30 and I agree with Chris, I think the benefit of him being at Luton was the guarantee of playing every game which he hasn't had for a long time. I don't see it.

I know his age isn't ideal, but would you not consider him on a free, with a two-year deal being a good backup option that doesn't break the bank? I don't think he will be on massive amounts per week at Luton, so it could be a shrewd move to add some fat to the squad.

It’s not really the Emery way to add fat. (I’m sure it’s choice of word though, use ’depth’ and it sounds better)

All the same I’d still trust in their judgement if they felt it was the sensible/practical business they could do.

[Stu]

John Percy reporting that Villa willing to sell Diego Carlos

[tomd2103]

I'd actually like a permanent DM and someone who can come in until Kamara is back. Bringing the 1 in, you only need a bit of bad luck (which we had plenty of) and we're back to square 1 again.

Yep, I agree.  A permanent signing there and maybe a loan signing, which would mean we could ease Kamara back in.  Luiz. Tielemans and McGinn can all cover the role alongside them. 

[chrisw1]

John Percy reporting that Villa willing to sell Diego Carlos

Makes sense to me.

[PaulWinch again]

John Percy reporting that Villa willing to sell Diego Carlos

Not a surprise. I think DC’s problem is concentration, that’s why he can be sensational in the big games but regularly switches off in smaller games.

[Stu]

£100k a week wages too, apparently.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Will any of the other top 4 clubs sign Barkley? -  we need to add quality not another body just to make up the numbers.

I don't think Barkley's issue is "quality", he definitely has elite-level talent and skills; we saw as much in his early spell at Villa, and variously throughout his career.

His issue seems to be mentality and motivation, a player who lived most of his career in a comfort zone.  If Emery can coach/motivate him into a more committed performer (and he may have learned/realised this at Luton); he could be a useful rotational player.  At his best, he is definitely good enough to be in a CL/Top 4 squad.

[manic-road]

John Percy reporting that Villa willing to sell Diego Carlos

Not surprised, he hasn't looked good enough. Isn't Diego the defender Gerrard bought to replace Tyrone and named him as a vice-captain?

[Dogtanian]

John Percy reporting that Villa willing to sell Diego Carlos

Not surprised, he hasn't looked good enough. Isn't Diego the defender Gerrard bought to replace Tyrone and named him as a vice-captain?

I dunno, I wish I looked that good with my shirt off.

[Monty]

I guess Barkley pretty much replaces Zaniolo, though his versatility would be more deeper than up front. If Unai thinks so then why not, says I.

We'd still need a Gallagher type, but this is cool too I guess.

[Dogtanian]

Has there been any news on this Hermoso character? He would be a free wouldn't he?

[Ads]

Barkley would be to cover Dougie and Tielemans. Get another stopper in to cover until Kamara is back, then we have have some decent depth and top quality in the middle.

Wide options would be JJ, Rogers, Emi, Bailey, Diaby. Somebody else with electric pace wouldn't hurt.

[Dave]

Guardian now reporting that we are "closing in" on the Barkley deal.