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

[Brazilian Villain]

I think it would be hard to replace Ramsey, but there is an obvious name that springs to mind and I have seen rumours have already started. 

Yeah, well, getting the band back together might not that be that easy, Jack.

[PaulWinch again]

I’ll be honest I’d like to keep JJ, but if it came to a choice between him and Doug I’d be keeping Doug. He’d be harder to replace for me, and I think some views on him are being coloured by a poor patch of recent form when playing a role he’s not really best suited to.

Ideally I’d hope we keep them both.

[eye digress]

Do get the scepticism.
But watching Ross Barkley playing for Luton was the non-Villa highlight of the Premiership last season for me. He was absolutely outstanding every time I saw him.

[LeonW]

Emery and Monchi at Sevilla use to make surprising and unheralded signings. Barkley fits with that. I’d rather look elsewhere but if they think he’s worth the investment i support them.

[AV84]

Barkely on a free would be good business, I think. If there's doubts about his effort or whatever, the simple solution would be a contract heavily loaded with stipulations and bonuses. Can't imagine Luton were paying him massive wages, so we could probably match that and the he gets a few performance related bonuses dangled at him too. Suits everyone, I think.

Important to remember there were times this season where a lot of us would have dropped Dougie and Diaby, and not let Zaniolo anywhere near the team, but we had literally no other options. Is Barkely better than either of them at their best? No. Is he better than the options we had to replace them towards the end of the season? Yes.

[PhilVill]

He was very good at Luton and if he is happy that he will be a squad player, and he is cheap, then I think Emery will get the best out of him.

[AV84]

Important to remember too, there's the Euros and Copa America this summer. There's risks of injuries and some players may well be back late to pre season, along with some long term current injuries. So there's going to be opportunities for players to stake a claim early on. Someone mentioned too that the new CL format really fills up the calendar, not many breaks from games. There's plenty of motivation there for "squad" players to step up.

[caster troy]

This can't be real surely. Barkley is one of the worst players I have ever seen put on a Villa shirt and I will be horrified to see him do it again, good season at Luton or not, on a free or not, home grown or not. I'll never forget that clip of him walking around the pitch aimlessly looking completely disinterested. We should be thanking our lucky stars we were able to send him back to Chelsea last time.

On the other hand, in tandem with Grealish he helped produce two of the best attacking performances I've ever seen.

He started well but when the team's form dipped and the pressure mounted he quickly hit Drinkwater levels. He was so bad people had concerns about his mental health, all I remember from that period was him walking around the pitch completely disinterested and then throwing tantrums when he inevitably got subbed. Massive red flags all over him and surely we can do better if we need cover in midfield.

[Risso]

I think it would be hard to replace Ramsey, but there is an obvious name that springs to mind and I have seen rumours have already started. 

Yeah, well, getting the band back together might not that be that easy, Jack.

We've already got somebody who can play the Ramsey role in young Morgan.

[Clark W Griswold]

Ross Barkley?

Fuck no. Not now, not ever. Wondering if it's a piss take to be honest.

[PaulWinch again]

Ross Barkley?

Fuck no. Not now, not ever. Wondering if it's a piss take to be honest.

Nah, a very shrewd signing if it’s confirmed.

[AV84]

Just reading a report there that says Barkley has expressed his desire to play in the Premier League and Europe, amid interest from Aston Villa and Man Utd.

 How f**king mental that we're in pole position on that front now! (Unless they beat Man City)

[Risso]

I wouldn't underestimate the negative effect of Grealish's behaviour during lockdown on the likes of McGinn and Barkley back then. Far too interested in going out on the lash, and I don't think it's entirely coincidental that McGinn looks a much better player now under a less lax regime.

[N'ZMAV]

If we get Barkley from last season, a deep lying midfielder who can move forward then he could be useful.

[Goldenballs]

If we're bargain basement shopping we could do a lot worse.

Not sure if that’s intended as a dig, but in terms of using our budget wisely for a squad player addition it makes all kind of sense. Won’t cost us much, he’s shown he’s reinvented himself and he’s clearly motivated. A good option for rotation and helps us keep the money we do have to focus in on high quality.

No not a dig, a shorter version of what you've said really. I hope it goes through.