Tim Sherwood has been quoted as saying that he thinks the takeover by a consortium that had been granted exclusivity, has failed.
We knew the period was six weeks and we knew it was up soon, but it seems it’s now passed without an outcome.
Why it’s failed, begs lots of questions, but I would guess that it’s probably because the consortium wouldn’t or couldn’t match certain assurances that I think Randy Lerner would have wanted.
While I’ve been quite critical about our owner, I totally believe that he does have the club’s interests at heart and he wouldn’t leave us in the hands of someone who might asset strip or fail to invest in the club.
So if I am on the right track with my thinking, I’m actually pretty pleased that we aren’t going to be taken over by a load of vultures who don’t give a flying proverbial about the club.
But then, we’re now in limbo again and that’s never good.
The obvious question is what’s Lerner’s thinking going to be with regards to our transfer budget?
If, as has been suggested, Gueye was bought on the assumption that Delph was leaving, meaning the spend was negligible, it would now mean that we’ve spent £9 million or so out of our budget.
And when you consider we’ve averaged a net spend of around £15 million a season (I think???) under Lerner, that doesn’t leave a lot left for this window.
Which, it would seem to me, leaves Lerner with a bit of a dilemma.
You would think Tim Sherwood was promised decent money to spend when he arrived, but I wonder if that promise might have been made on the assumption that the club was going to be sold?
So does Lerner risk upsetting the manager, by telling him the rug has practically been pulled from any further spending or does he temporarily go again?
After all, any investment now can easily be recovered by the extra Sky money that the club will receive at the end of this season.
But that would mean that Lerner is probably committed for yet another year, as I can’t see him laying out serious transfer money without increasing the supposed £150 million asking price for the club, which would only make us more difficult to sell.
The big fear now, is that Sherwood is only allowed to spend another £5 million or so and is expected to bring some of our kids through.
We all know that won’t be enough and we could be in for a torrid time again this season.
Of course, selling Benteke could be Lerner’s saving grace, in that he could probably spend a fair percentage of the fee on transfers and look good, even though he’ll have spent next to nothing in reality.
But this would be a retrograde step in my opinion, even though I know some don’t agree.
We should be looking to keep Benteke and buying better players and not using this situation as a reason for letting Benteke go.
No doubt the next few weeks will tell us all we need to know.
Comments
110 responses to “Takeover dead; I’m not sure what to think”
Even though Sherwood says he thinks Benteke will stay, I think he’s odds on to leave now 🙁
To who though? I don’t think he’d join Liverpool and United are the only ones that the media claim are interested, and lets be honest they’re linked to everyone.
Utd are also supposed to be after Cavani, with LVG wanting to play 2 up front.
I agree with you and I’m not convinced Utd want him.
I think Pool do though.
Whether it’ll be at the asking price is another question.
Hopefully Fox won’t let Lerner bottle it and sell Benteke cheaply.
Oops, I should have said I think Benteke would go to Pool if he was encouraged.
Lerner didn’t sell Downing, Milner or Young cheaply, he doesn’t sell prized possessions for cheap, despite whatever you may think.
Encouraged by what? Unless he wants money, he’ll hold out at a team he likes being at than going to Liverpool and being stranded.
My point is that he might sell cheaply (or at least cheaper than £32.5 mill) this time, so he doesn’t have to lay more money out.
“Encouraged by what?”
Encouraged by being told that the club wants him gone.
I’d think that’s all it would take, if the player is contemplating other clubs anyway.
I actually suspect Benteke does like it at the Villa under Sherwood, but let’s face it, we’re not going to win anything soon. Pool probably aren’t either, but they have more chance than us, generally speaking.
I liken it to an everyday job, where if it was suggested to me by my employer that I’d be doing everyone a favour if I was to go elsewhere for an x% payrise, I’d probably go.
Basically Lerner just wants survival on the cheap that’s it. If he can get away with selling benteke and we finish fourth from bottom then he will be doing handstands.
Badger have you been drinking or smoking something you shouldn’t be? 😉
How can you say we we’re not going to win anything soon? We got to a cup final last season, no on would of predicted that. My point? anything can happen mate. 🙂
Badger – you’ve confused me!
“Encouraged by being told that the club wants him gone.” – where has this come from?
Other than a few people on here speculating/alleging that Lerner wants to take the sale proceeds and pocket them [-which I don’t believe for a moment], I haven’t seen anything anywhere that suggests that Villa want to sell Benteke at all. In fact everything suggests the opposite. Or have I missed something obvious?
Right on the money Ardent, I don’t know a single person at Aston Villa who’s going to go tell Benteke to leave. Sherwood loves the guy, Fox wants to make Sherwood happy and Lerner wants to keep Fox happy. None of them are going to tell Benteke to find a new club for your buyout clause, would be utterly ridiculous.
And yeah, he’ll supposedly pocket the money, despite making constant losses.
It’s a bit like your girlfriend staying with you because the bloke she really likes isn’t interested !
Howbdid you get used to that OhAhh??? 😉
He’s talking from experience. 😉
Jeremy Kyle will sort you out 🙂
You should really give Sherwood the benefit of the doubt Badger. He’s the only person at the club who, in Christ knows how long, has come out and been completely honest about everything he has been asked. There’s a constant saying on this site that “someone should come out and tell us what’s going on” so when somebody does do they not deserve to be believed? Even more so when they’re the only person who openly tells fans what’s going on? He came out and said what the situation with Benteke is. If no one offers the buy out clause then he simply won’t go. If someone pays we as a club are powerless to do anything about it other than hope, like Delph, he turns down a move. He’s come out and told us that there will be no takeover, I’m surprised that further evidence hasn’t been requested yet from anyone!
I’m confused as to what you think I’m saying, B6????
I don’t doubt what Sherwood “thinks” at all.
But he doesn’t call the shots; lerner does.
You’ve contradicted yourself Badger. In one sentence you’re saying you hope Fox won’t allow Lerner to sell Benteke cheaply but in another you claim Lerner calls the shots.
I doubt very much Lerner will have any input on what happens with Benteke. He employed Fox to “manage the business” as Fox stated in an interview last season. It was Fox’s decision to sack Lambert, not Lerners. It was Fox’s decision to appoint Sherwood, not Lerners. So your claim that Lerner “calls the shots” may not be right, especially considering Lerner told Fox he could not run the business from America and had other businesses he needed to look after.
I also believe Lerner will have zero input regarding the “Benteke” sale or no sale, and tbh if he did I think we’ve seen enough of how Lerner has dealt with players departing to know he wouldn’t let him go cheaply.
To me it the purchase and sale of any player will be decided by Sherwood and by today’s interview, Benteke won’t be going anywhere unless the release clause is met.
I really couldn’t give a toss if we never get taken over….As long as Lerner has found his passion for the club and continues to invest, more so in the playing side than he has done in recent years.
And wasn’t it Sherwood who just a few weeks ago ‘bet’ a journo that there’d be no takeover?
Indeed it was AV.
He also said he had no idea about the situation and just liked a punt, in fairness.
Although he may obviously know more than he’s letting on.
Do you think he would of taken the bet had he of not known something?
I believe that Sherwood is probably the first Villa manager in quite a while to know what’s going on behind the scenes; in large part because I suspect that Fox is a completely different operator to Faulkner, and I’ve taken it as read that Fox is the guy who apponted Sherwood and who needs to make that appointment a success at every level.
Disagree I think Lamberk knew but was told not to say anything. Where fir some reason Sherwood hasn’t that restriction
Agreed AV. It’s actually refreshing to have an idea of what is going on at the club.
Think alot of it is to do with stat of Chinese stock market
B6, for a £100?
Of course he would!
It’s the equivalent of a couple of quid to us normal people!
Lerner might be a stingy bastard, but I’d expect Sherwood to be on £20k a week as an absolute minimum.
Also, are you suggesting Sherwood is Lerner’s spokesman?
I don’t know, Lerner may be happy for Sherwood to speak on his behalf, but I’d doubt it, myself.
Hence Sherwood is only saying what he thinks and not what he knows.
I could of course, be wrong.
Ha ha, where have I suggested Sherwood is Lerners spokesman?
I agree Badger maybe not for the money but I don’t think Sherwood is stupid enough to take a bet in front of x amount of media in front of x amount of cameras being broadcasted to x amount of people to lose. He would never of taken that bet had he not of known something.
x actly 🙂
Make a lot of people on here happy, Ron Vlaar’s set for talks with Lazio tomorrow over a move. A step up yes, they are in the CL Play-offs.
Watch Lazio s insurance premium go through the roof if they sign him!
Blimey they must be bonkers. Yet again Italian football is a slower pace so may suit him better
Oohah, shall we go halves on his plane ticket…. Cart horse !
LOL he’d probably be late for his flight or miss it.
I’m happy to morgage house and fly him there myself
will he get travel insurance
I think TS’s statement to the press is very interesting and raises a number of questions. The first (and in my view most important) is that it appears that TS is now the mouthpiece for Lerner. Why!
I believe Lerner et al feel the fans generally have faith (belief) in TS and so it makes sense to make statements in his name. You make your own opinion as to the validity of this view!
In itself that raises a whole number of new questions; let’s see how they pan out!
On another note, I’m personally happy that Lerner doesn’t sell out to asset strippers – even if it means we have to struggle on without the level of reinvestment we would all, ideally,
I’ve to see!
Hitch – I’m not sure I’d call Sherwood anyone’s mouthpiece [except his own]!
From what I’ve seen since Sherwood arrived: [a] he’s obviously a very ‘open’ and frank character whether it’s talking to fans, or journalists, and [b] he does seem to be ‘in-the-loop’ as far as Lerner and Fox are concerned – not one of those managers kept in the dark and told to concentrate on matters to do with the training ground.
So for once we have a manager who doesn’t avoid talking to the media, and who does seem to know more than most about the off-field activities at the club. Great combination as far as I’m concerned!
Sherwood Lerner’s mouthpiece? Not a chance. Sherwood has a bit of a loose tongue, that’s all. It’s entertaining for the most part but it will from time to time cause problems, and maybe even be his downfall.
* like to see!
https://twitter.com/keebo00/status/621045832142356480/photo/1
this is funny
IMHO not too bothered if Lerner doesn’t sell so long as he gives TS enough money to do something next season.
Seems obvious anyway, if Villa do well then it boosts his chances of selling if that’s what he really wants to do. If he doesn’t want to sell then he must want to see a successful club.
Seems like with the signings so far we’re at least on our way to a better season. Roll on mid-table mediocrity (for one season at least)
UTV
If ‘mid-table mediocrity’ means that we finish comfortably above the likes of Albion, Stoke, WHam, Newcastle and Swansea, then I’ll happily take that for a season – before moving on up, of course!
Disappointed there is no take over. Hope Sherwood gets the funds he needs for transfers.
Sherwood may be in the loop and a bit ‘gobby’ at times but he sure isn’t stupid. He’ll let bits of news sneak out, but never the full picture. I think if Benteke goes, Fox will ensure we get the full amount for him. Would rather The Beast stay in the new look team, IF Sherwood is allowed to invest more than Lambert was. If our net spend is on par with the past three seasons, we’re in trouble again. The stats don’t lie (unless you happen to be QPR).
In addition to that, I’m glad Vlaar has gone. How many points did his mistakes cost us last season? Andrew?
It would have been a lot more if he had managed to stay fit, so look on the bright side!
‘Fit and Vlaar’ in the same sentence? 🙂
He’ll fail the medical.he’s got one of the dodgiest calves in football.
Didnt know he kept cattle! 🙂
You’ve not seen his missus then? 😉
No, was supposed to meet her but she cancelled…said something about having to adjust her old mans truss and surgical stockings 🙂
LOL 😀
If we can ship in a decent replacement for Cissoko (sp) we may have a tight back line this year…
Still 48 shopping days left to Christmas, sorry until the window closes.
Lots of time for things to happen. We’ve signed Richards and Gueye, Delph and Gil are staying.and Kozak has already scored. BTW Benteke is still here too.
Just a couple more quality signings and this could be a very good close season for us.
Oh and a manager who can talk to the press and actually say something substantial is a big plus as well.
All in all I’m feeling quite positive so far.
UTV
I still believe the club was never properly up for sale at £150M. For a number of reasons, starting with the fact that it is a snip at that price. The secrecy surrounding the name of two consortia (not including Tony Adams gang which was never a runner) was perhaps because they did not really exist. Third, the arrival of Tom Fox. Tom is a very highly qualified and respected football administrator. I guess half the EPL would be pleased to have him, especially those clubs rebuilding their stadiums. So why would he agree to move to Aston Villa whose owner has put it up for sale, when there must be an odds-on chance a new owner would want his own man in Fox’s job. I can only surmise that what Lerner told him reduced that chance of him needing to find another job to heavily odds against.
Comings and goings. The club posts pictures very day of the Portugal training. A number of players are not in them – including Benteke So is he hanging around in Britain waiting for his medical check elsewhere?
Agree ool I think we’ve never been for sale unofficially. I said it last year just a ploy to appease fans and sell season tickets
positivve comments from Abonglahor on the OS today about Gil. Looking like he could be part of the set-up next season after all? Great news if so.
Apparently Amavi has finally been convinced to come to us and the deal has moved ever closer, let’s hope we wrap this one up soon, lots of potential.
He looks the real deal TBF. That would be a big upgrade to LB.
Agreed but need to be patient with him, from all the reports I’ve read he’s only had one real good season. So need to be easy on him if he comes.
Most vital position for us at the moment. Could be the season’s signing
Sherwood mentioned in the B.Mail that he wants to offload as many as 5-7 players but is having a hard time shifting them out. That is pretty frank and open talk, which is welcoming, but he does know he has to replace these players right?
I would assume his talk of big wage players would refer to… N’Zogbia, Senderos, Cole, Hutton, Richardson, Cissokho +/- Bennett, Tonev, Herd,…
I could see any of those names leaving.
That’s what he wants, he wants to make room to bring in more players. Despite what people think we have a big squad still and need to get rid of players.
I’ll be on the road to recovery when CNZ’s fucked off he’s as piss poor as his dress sense.
Senderos,Cole, N’zog and Richardson each have 1 year left on their contracts – I don’t imagine it’d be too difficult for the club to pay any of them off if they really aren’t wanted.
Hutton has 2, Cissoko has 3, so they’re not likely to be going soon.
As for Tonev and Heard, don’t know about their contracts, but I doubt if either of them are on ‘big money’ [at least not in EPL terms of ‘big money’!]
Sporting director just been appointed
http://mobile.avfc.co.uk/default.aspx?s=news-display&aid=4866073
Arsenal’s our feeder club for directors.
This is great news, another experienced footballing brain on the Board… Our bid has been accepted for Amavi, The carthorse is off to Italy….. Why am I suddenly all positive again !
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33543011
Maybe we’ll get chips Keswick on board next????
Twitter going nuts about Benteke to Man Utd. The Sun seems the first source so maybe cr@p.
Something about him favoring a tweet about him moving there or some crap like that.
Birmingham Mail reporting it too though.
His agent said no truth in any Man Utd interest a bit earlier today I think.
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/good-news-for-liverpool-benteke-agent-tells-us-he-s-not-going-to-
ignoring the ridiculous Liverpool part.
Hope Benteke chooses Manure over the dippers. Woukdnt mind buying Austin and Emenike with the proceeds. Eminike current on loan in the UAE (i think) from Fenerbache. But will Randy pay up?
If we’re getting Amavi for the reported price, then of course he will, it’s will Sherwood want Austin, some reports are claiming we don’t. Emenike is a great shout though, big fan of his.
Amavi, Austin and Eminiki and an in form Gil would be quite an upgrade from last season IMO……we can only hope. Hernandez would be a good alternative to Austin if we dont want him!
Agreed, We were supposedly looking to find a striker to compliment Benteke which Chicharito could do well, but we’d obviously need 2 if Benteke left. Still have a load of players to get rid of which Sherwood even said he’s having trouble doing.
Not surprised Andrew. People like Cole, Senderos and to a slightly lesser degree Richardson will be hard to ship! Can see Bennet and perhaps Tonev leaving for a nominal fee.
I think Bennett will be back up to Amavi, he’s reportedly still thought highly of by Sherwood, despite being injured.
Cole, Senderos, Richardson, Tonev, possibly Hutton though I doubt it, N’Zogbia, Cissokho. We still have 26 players 22 or older, so before we start bringing everyone in, we need a few to go.
Although a Sporting Director could definitely make his life easier on the offloading part.
I wonder if the smartarse who thought a 32.5 million pound release clause was a good idea had the intelligence to also put a condition demanding a “sell on fee of 10-20%” will be given to us should the player move for more than what the selling club brought him for.
What a stupid question! 😉
Fatty Faulkner got everything right! The fucking donut! Shame he left really as he enjoyed a bunn or two 🙂
BTW…..great news about all these new backroom staff, but any chance of buying some decent players to go with them?
Might start a bidding war… Would take £20M + Hernandez and Valencia. Spend £15M for Austin. £5M for Ben Davies. Easy!
RW..Ben Davies is deffo worth a punt IMO!
4 new players with only 1 leaving? That’s not how Football clubs work, especially with the massive amount of wages those 4 players would have compared to just Benteke. Football’s more than just transfer fees and it being “that easy”.
Jordan Amavi could leave OGC Nice in the next few days and join the club of Aston Villa.
Reportedly, the left side would ultimately convinced by the project Villans who have made an offer of nearly fifteen million (including bonus) for his transfer.
Lyon was also interested in the International Espoirs.
Google translate from Nice Matin. Don’t know if that’s from a local source or they have just picked up on other sites
I read somewhere this morning that Nice Martin was “a very reliable source” but buggered if I can remember where.