The news that dominated Aston Villa across the weekend was that Manchester City would make a bid for Fabian Delph because Delph’s new contract had a £10-12 million buy-out clause. This clause was allegedly part of a compromise between Lerner and Delph, so if a Champions League team did make an offer for Delph he could leave the club but at the same time, repaying Aston Villa for his services. Delph signed a new four and a half year deal back in January of this year. A sign that showed that Delph was loyal and that Aston Villa could keep their top players. But these recent reports have made be a bit nervous.
Manchester City are desperate to sign English players. Having released the likes of James Milner, Micah Richards and selling Rodwell and Sinclair, Man. City don’t have enough English players to match the quota. City have been rumoured to be interested in signing Sterling and Wilshire. Unfortunately both Liverpool and Arsenal are demanding ridiculous fees for the pair. That does leave City short on options. City have been alerted by Delph because he has been featuring regularly in the England squad for the majority of the season and if there is a buy-out clause, it’s remarkable cheap and City would be foolish not to make an offer.
But what about for the reasons against these reports. There hasn’t been too much written in the tabloids but among Aston Villa fans, many can’t possible believe that fact that Aston Villa would include such a buy-out clause for what is undoubtedly our best midfielder. The only logical understanding of a buy-out clause was if Aston Villa did in fact relegated, then a release clause would be justifiable. And reason would be that perhaps the likes of Sinclair and Richards could convince Delph that a move to Man. City is not good for your own personal career.
Losing both Benteke and Delph would be an utter disaster. Especially since Aston Villa are yet to bring in their own replacements. If Villa sell first before buying, than the club will be held for ransom on transfer fees because clubs will know that Aston Villa would have money to spend following the sale of Benteke and/or Delph. I have accepted the fact that Villa can lose one of their better players. But both? Absolutely no way.
Agree and disagree. Lose both a disaster – depends if we get decent money and Randy reinvests. We’re not a club at the moment who can keep top class players like Benteke, but get a number of players who strengthen us then its worthwhile. As i say, if the money is reinvested, personally i’d rather have 5/6 £7-10m players for 2 bigger value players, but that’s partly because of where we are as a club at present.
Delph clause if true has two ways of looking at it. Negatively is obvious, but positively its £10m more than we all thought we would get 6 months ago. Go back 6 months and if prior to him signing the deal you could have N’Zonzi £6m or so and Begovic £8m (please only examples) or so for Delph and Weimann you’d have snapped their hands off based on the fact Delph was going for nothing. If that was the clause to get £10m, then i’d rather it be in there quite frankly. Now he has a contract and been playing well, of course it looks and is cheap as chips as a deal for any new suitor. Can i blame him? not really, that’s football sadly and probably only recoups his wages all the time he was injured.
im just at the point where under lerner every transfer window feels the same linked to many players and then go buy second rate lower league dross or injury plagued free transfers.
IF delph did sign a new deal with a release clause he has done villa a favour instead of jumping ship on a bosman. im still praying for a buyout as i dont think there will be any change in our transfer policy under lerner . i honestly cant blame the like of delph and benteke wanting to leave as they must think the same as the average fan. where are the quality signing.
It’s going to be a Red Indian takeaway-the Seminole Tribe of Florida who own the Hard Rock Cafe chain are snapping up AVFC. The new goalkeeper is either going to be Michelle Heaton’s brother-Tom Heaton or Donna Duke’s brother-Matt Duke.
They’re actually frighteningly rich aren’t they. That would rock! Isn’t Daisy Duke enormously fat now?
Lol, that’s a strange shout.
Still, it’s as good as anyone else’s guess, so why not? 🙂
I am not ITK but just been told that staff at Villa are being called in for announcement tomorrow.
I am not ITK and I know nothing. I just want it to be resolved one way or the other.
If it is true about a relatively cheap buy-out clause, there’s still a serious decision Delph needs to make
Be careful Mr Delph, think about it. The number of players who have gone to Man City with assurances they would be in a Champions League side only to languish on the bench for months and months. You’ve basically got a semi-regular place in the England side based on your constant run in the Villa side (and obviously your performances), there must be a great risk of going to Man C, would jepardise that, just prior to a Euro championships next year, to go from playing every week, to coming on as a sub now and again, and playing in Carling cup matches.
I’d speak to the likes of Sinclair, ask him if you should go, ask Mr Richards, the grass is not always greener