I’m bored of messing with the site, so am giving it a rest for a while and while we can sort of see the posts and replies, I’m going to talk about what we do know.
And today’s big news is that I’ve just learned that we’ve signed Marco Bizot from Brest.
He’s 34 and apparently a very good pro.
We all know why we’ve got him and he’s our new No 2 goalie.
He’s apparently in on a two year contract and I read earlier that this will be the highest wage he’s achieved.
I’m happy with that signing and fair play to him. He gets a nice last payday.
So what else do we know?
Well, Oliwier Zych has joined Rakow Czestochowa on loan. He’s a 21 year old goalie and that’s about all I know about him. I know even less about the club, unfortunately. It’s another common sense move that will see him gain experience and hopefully move his game up a level.
Kosta Nedeljkovic has gone to RB Leipzig, which is where he spent the second half of last season, which is a good sign. He’s obviously happy there and the club like him. That’s a good basis for learning.
He’s only 19 and in the couple of appearances he’s made he looks a very accomplished right back. Will he ever make the grade for us? Very probably not and it’s about building his value, I’d guess But you never know.
I should mention Kaine Kesler Hayden as he bought in £3.5 million after moving to Coventry. It’s a convenient move. He doesn’t have to move house and we get a few bob for a player who I don’t see was ever going to play for us. Another Right back, when we ought to just sign a top one to replace Cash, imo.
And what’s wrong with Garcia anyway? I’m not alone in thinking he’s looked very decent, but he can’t get a look in, it would seem.
The third biggest bit of news is that there is plenty of interest in Enzo Barrenechea from European clubs. Benfica are supposedly close to signing him in a deal worth up to £15 million.
Given that we signed him and Illing-Junior for £8 million and £mill add-ons, that’s a good bit of business.
He spent last season at Valencia and I think he would have been happy to go back there again, but a permanent deal is obviously more important. I wish him well if he does go.
I say the third, because the second biggest bit of news is that Forest are supposed to have made Jacob Ramsey their primary target according to Sky. I think I predicted that he’d be the big ticket player to leave, so this deal makes sense to me. The question is what would we want for him? I’d guess £35-40 million.
And finally, Leon Bailey. The whole world is after him, if you read the papers, but I’m not seeing much happen. There was interest from Saudi, but it seems to have gone quiet. We need to get rid of him in this window. The less he plays, the more his value drops. I’ve no doubt he’ll go at a lower price than we expect. Which might prove to be really annoying, as there’s a really good player in there.
There’s still six weeks of the window left, so I’m not panicking, but would like us to get them in sooner rather than later.
Everyone goes on about a pre-season and preparation being key, after all, don’t they?
Comments
37 responses to “Player movement, albeit mostly loans. FLASH Bizot is in the bag.”
I’m still adding to this, but wanted to get it out there. It’s not massive, but it’s a decent addition, imo.
Updated, with some extra stuff added.
Test
What do we think of the new home kit, guys? Bit boring?
I like the home kit in the sense that Adidas understands what claret is. Too many times we have suffered a pink / purple colour variation. I am a traditionalist so prefer blue sleeves although I get that minor alterations every season won’t encourage sales, except for the ones obsessed with buying them every season. Maybe one similar to the 2018/19 promotion season with light blue adidas 3 stripes on shoulders!
New shirt is a grower. The more I see it, the more I like it. Classy.
Why sell Enzo without giving him a chance???
Ahha!
I change the “read more” button to “Add comment” and triple the size and get a reply within 2 minutes.
I thought that was causing an issue and I still don’t like it. It’s a long-winded way of doing things, to my mind.
Whatever, I get what you mean BFR, but there’s two points for me.
1. We need the money.
2. Was he ever going to get a game for us?
Probably not under Unai, who definitely seems to have players he either really likes or just doesn’t like. Hence it’s probably best for the player, who I suspect was pushing for this.
I love looking back at some of the old posts and the players we used to have!!!
We were bloody rubbish at times. Mostly under Lerner.
Badger, the current posts are right at the bottom on the mobile site and the archive stuff (lots of it) at the top. Can you swap these???
Indeed they are.
Can you change your browser to show the desktop site? It shows okay then and that would be easiest.
Otherwise I’ll look into it now.
A little concerning that we seem to be very passive in the transfer market – other than outgoings! Zylch (sic) and Ned Kelly out on loan, the latter back to Leipzig which suggests we may see him as having a future.
Apart from the GK, we have signed a highly rated kid, Redmond, from Holland and also completed the signing of Oscan from Turkey; a young, highly rated CB but other than that – nothing.
Most, no all rumours, are about us selling our top performers. OK – click bait but is anyone getting concerned?
Yes, I am Hitch…
There’s still six weeks Hitch. A lot of poker being played is my guess
Man U have Onana injured and out for the start of the season.
That’s the sort of thing that might see them make a move for Martinez and is a good example, as much as I don’t think he will want to go there.
As a slight aside, it fascinates me that everyone who writes about the club thinks everybody will automatically put Man U at the top of their list.
The arrogance is astounding.
Bum Bum, as a temporary workround, see the Hamburger (three lines) on the home page?
Hit that and you’ll see the latest post (I think!)
Don’t forget to change the club badge on the new site, Badger…
I noticed that. I like the “Prepared” though, so was in two minds.
By the way, I think the game tonight is free on VillaTV. Just about to have a look now.
Blimey, mostly kids playing and it looks like it.
0-1.
Right Badger – 1-0 to Walsall.
Watched the game and tbh I didn’t know half the kids playing. Oscan played second half and looked useful – has a really good shot on him.
What was interesting was that Barry, Moreno and Dobbin all got 45 minutes; players I thought would be off (loan or sale) in this window. Maybe Emery has still to make a final decision?
We had enough good chances to have won but the usual combination of good saves and poor finishing undid us.
Note that all pre-season games are free on Villa TV – just have to create a members account (if you don’t already have one).
Hah, I see Duran hasn’t turned up for pre-season training at Fenerbache.
We’re well rid of him.
Wow. That guy is heading for disaster…
I’ve just had a proper look at the home shirt on the OS.
That wavy pattern on the bottom of the sleeves looks a right mess and doesn’t suit at all, imo.
And an extra £35 for the authentic shirt, where the only difference is a little badge on the hip.
Consider me well and truly priced out.
Hi Badger
Max Stokes, from Villa On Tour has today put out a YouTube video on the new pro shirt. He showed that the squiggly gold on the bottom of the sleeves replicates the squiggly gold on the brick front entrance to the gold. I thought it was a good idea to try and ingrain something from the stadium into the shirt.
I really like the new shirt.
Unai must have been a difficult kid. He wants things all his own way – which he usually gets – but when he doesn’t he sulks. Walsall would never figure in Emery’s pre-season plans. But it is a traditional fixture which pre-dates Emery and a good relationship enables us to borrow Bescot Stadium to host Roma while VP is unavailable. However Emery’s reaction was not to take the game seriously. The cameras panned to his face – he wasn’t bothered.
One question answered for me was why when Cash was out Garcia did not come in, Konsa was shunted over. On this evidence Garcia is not confident attacking on the overlap. It was impossible to judge the newcomers in such a scratch team, but they are all worth another look.
That’s a good point OLL.
Who is maintaining the link to Walsall?
Because I can’t think of anybody at the club who would care.
Fwiw, I value the link highly and I suspect many fans do too. It gives them a source of revenue and us a decent second stadium for games.
As for Garcia, I think he played some of the second half?
Tbh, I wasn’t watching closely.
And you’re right.
Frendlies mean less than jack shit.
They’re a run out, no more, no less.
If that’s the sort of line up I get to see at Villareal, I’ll be well pissed.
Agree with OLL – Garcia did not impress but then neither did Kamara who only seemed to rouse himself for the last 10 minutes of the second half.
As others have commented – overall pretty meaningless other than as a training exercise!
Same as you Hitch, watched in it’s entirety and was completely underwhelmed.
Walsall are a side full of big lads , they out muscled, out paced and out muscled us (took a leaf out of Palace’s book) and were well worthy of their win.
Just my opinion but this slow build up, high press football has had it’s day. Going to be an interesting season
Badger, is the new site a work in progress? The links to the latest comments at the side of the page… are a particular miss
Just seen Blue’s owner Brady’s four letter rant about the Villa.
He’s definitely at the right club, uncouth and no class – you’re well at home mate!
2 bit club Hitch and decades behind us..
I don’t even contemplate them as competitors anymore.
In fact, for a second city club, they’re an utter disgrace, imo.
We need competition and they’re nowhere near it.
It’s all bluster.
More commonly known as “piss and wind” in my day
Barrenechea secures a loan to Benfica and Swinkels is loaned to Exeter. Barry to go on loan to Sheff Utd. so lots of outgoings but little in the way of signings!
Having said that, pleased that we haven’t sold Barrenechea.
BFR, this is more a back up than anything.
I can still put it back to how it was a couple of days back, which I liked..
But it looked terrible on mobile.
I’m just having a break before I try again.
Looks like good business with Barrenchea. He cost €8m euro in the Louis deal. I don’t know how much loan fee we received when lending him out last season – but it will have been positive.
This season Benfica have paid €3m euro loan fee. There is a buy option with certain criteria being met for €12m euro and a sell on clause of 30%, with a maximum of €10m euro. In the grand scheme of things Villa are likely to make a minimum of €7m to €17m euro profit. This sort of return cannot be ignored with the financial straight jacket placed upon us.
Certainly does seem like good business.
MOMS have confirmed that, as a result of the EUFA financial rules we have to sell before we can buy but, despite all the rumours, I’m not seeing any evidence around getting rid of fringe players such as Dendonker (yep he’s still on the books), Buendia etc.
If we’re going to sell a high earner then my guess would be Digne with Maatson stepping up and Moreno retained as second choice.
In the meantime we’ve signed a ‘pre-acquisition’ agreement for a young defender – Cisse – who will stay with his club for the whole of this season; like we did with Ozcan.
Hansa Rostock 3 Villa 1
There is an unwritten rule that the away team in international friendlies does not give the home team a thrashing. Villa’s starting squad was much too good for their hosts and ended the half 1-0 up, having dominated possession.
Villa over-compensated by withdrawing all experience in the second half and a weak defensive show, particularly from Carroll, gifted Hansa an equalizer. Then there was only one team in it. Embarassing defending from Villa youngsters as they conceded 2 more. The finishing 11 may not see first team action again.
And they were celebrating their 60th anniversary. Nice of Unai not to be a party proper!
That’s the problem, Hitch, Unai is a party pooper, it’s his way or nothing, we cannot hide the fact were where we are because of him.
Bill, I’ve actually been wondering where you were for the last couple of days.
Your comment confuses me.
We are where we are because of Unai?
Dead right. And it’s a lot further forward than we would have been under the vast majority of managers, imo.
But you seem to be suggesting that we’re in a bad place?
Just because we’ve lost a couple of totally meaningless friendlies?