Any long time viewers of the site will know my position regarding the transfer windows.
I hate the speculation because the vast majority of it is utter rubbish.
That said, I know some of you love it, so I’m happy to talk about it.
Me, I’ll just remain very sceptical until it has been confirmed that a player has signed.
A typical example of what I believe is utter tosh, is a link I’ve seen to Charlie Austin, the Southampton striker.
There was me thinking he was an attacking midfielder. Did he get pushed up front some time back?
Whatever, he’s 29 and apparently on £70k a week, with two years left to run on his contract.
A cursory glance at the Premier league table tells me Southampton finshed 16th in the season just gone, which is surely at least where we’d hope to finish this season.
So, if he’s deemed not good enough for Southampton, why on earth does anyone think we’d want him?. And on those wages, when it’s blatantly obvious that we have FFP issues, now that it seems we’re under a soft transfer embargo?
For info, this is where a club agrees not to do any deals, after a request from the EFL. This would explain why the Jota and Hause deals were delayed.
But it now seems that the embargo has been lifted, as the latest news is that we’ve taken up our option to sign Hause and the Jota deal has been confirmed by Dean Smith himself.
Which is interesting, because it means that if we were under an embargo, something has happened very, very recently to allow the EFL to lift it.
I wonder what?
Or is it just that we had other irons in the fire and wanted to hold fire?
Jesus, even I’m being sucked into the speculation game now.
Anyway, while the Jota deal makes sense because Smith knows him, the Austin deal just doesn’t, in any way. At all.
Simply put, if we sign 5% of the players we’ve been linked with, the media will have done very well and better than usual.
I can’t remember the actual reason why windows were introduced, but logic tells me it was to prevent clubs reinforcing when they suffered a particular weakness, which gave the bigger clubs another advantage.
But since when have the powers that be been bothered about that?
Or maybe it was to stop “tapping-up” and undermining rival clubs at important times?
Yes, that doesn’t happen any more, does it?
I dont know, part of me wishes we could go back to the old system, as I detest reading pure guesswork.
Comments
112 responses to “The rubbish you hear during the transfer window; Or is it?”
I would’ve said 15 million to be fair. 12 minimum. Saying that, if Hause is 3 million, does that make him a bargain or Mings a rip-off? Hause was looking really good before his injury, wasn’t he?
i think hause is a tidy defender and he can bring the ball out of defence, which is the smith way. but both hause and mings prefer to play on the left side of the central pairing. need a couple of right sided cb’s now. for more balance back there.
Very sad news about Justin Edinburgh. I remember him clearing a Dean Saunders’ effort unbelievably off the line at VP in the inaugural PL season. I think if VAR had been around, it was probably in. We battered Spurs that night and I recall Deano also hit the post twice. 2 points lost in the title battle of 92-93.
Thoughts go out to his family. RIP Justin Edinburgh.
Could Daniel Sturridge be worth a punt on a free? Reasonable wages and a 2 year deal? Or even one year rolling contract? Injuries always a worry. Klopp is full of praise for his positive influence in the dressing room, and we know that Smith likes leaders. Top quality PL striker when fit! Lethal super-sub at worst! Is he ‘one of our own’ too? Any takers?
He would be Micah Richards Mk 2. Apparently he was a good person around the club too but also injury prone and enough said about the wages. To echo Purslow’s comments, we want young and hungry like John McGinn!
Fair point Holte, hence my suggestion of a rolling contract. That kind of goal threat at PL level is hard to find, especially for free! If we get one season out of him, stay up, then keep building, might not be bad business. I doubt we can afford the other lad for 40 million, while Maupay is unproven at PL level. Just think if Sturridge can stay fit for one year, he could be a real asset coming off the bench, at least.
Sturridge is a good player without doubt but has hardly played for 2 years. He is the type of player Bruce would sign but I don’t think Smith wants any egos. Said Benrahma for £9m would be a good acquisition given Smith was his manager at Brentford. Would it be cheeky to go for Maupay too? I really hope we hear that Mings has been signed sooner rather than later. I still think we have a chance with Tuanzebe although we might have to be patient, which is something Man Utd can’t afford. Their fans will demand big money and top flight proven players. Having said that I would only take him on a permanent basis. Purslow has already stated no more loans because they are a “terrible business model”
Very sad news to hear about Justin Edinburgh. Far too young. May he RIP.
Being reported on Twitter (AV Agent) that Villa’s offer for Mings has been accepted. Can’t find any other corroboration
Good news!
Hitch, I hope it’s right. Mings is a must-have player for me. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Here is an updated list of player transfer links I’ve found. According to the ‘meedja’ we have made some form of contact or enquiry for each one (hmm really?) These links start from our promotion on 27 May through to the 8 June.
Ryan Kent
Daniel Sturridge
Joe Lolley
Moussa Marega
Ruben Alcaraz
Dwight Gayle
Gary Cahill
Kalvin Phillips
James Justin
Kemar Roofe
Neil Etheridge
Valentin Rongier
Andre Ayew
Todd Kane
James Tavernier
Neal Maupay
John Obi Mikel
Josh McEachron
Bradley Dack
Daniel Opare
Harry Arter
Charlie Austin
Callum Robinson
Mbwana Samatta
Fikayo Tomori
Maxi Gómez
Baptiste Santamaria
Joe Aribo
Alfredo Morelos
Ashley Williams
Kareem Harris
Matty Target
Isaac Hayden
Jack Butland
Said Benrahma
Marcus Tavernier
Harry Wilson
Josh Brownhill
I think I counted 38 so far and I could easily see this list doubling in size.
thats one big shopping list. most of them names i would think are just paper talk and not real smith targets. smith will snap up first, players who he knows are good apples apposed to the bad apples.also having the ability to step up to premiership and improve the 1st team.
we are slowly going about our summer shopping. buying up last year loans who played massive roles in us getting promoted. el ghazi started slowly, but towards the end of season, was unplayable on the left, mings is a massive player, not just on the pitch but off it too. its like signing paul mcgrath mk2
I’ve managed to find an article that indicates that new W88 sponsors are paying more than Genting deal. Apparently Genting used to pay £8m. I guess this years sponsorship will pay for El Gazi and some of Hause. Every penny counts
That’s another thing Sid, Being in the premiership now sponsor pays more, as you said 16 million goes a long way in paying for players. I’ll be glad when holidays are over and news of new players and retaining the likes of Minns I’ll be happy.
Well we got our man El Garzi 4 year contract. That will do me.
Great news. The difference in his performance once Dean Smith came in was very clear for all to see but again, another decent signing by Bruce.
Slowly we are keeping the core of the team that won us promotion.
I really think he could be a hell of a player in the Prem.
Rob Dorsett of Sky is saying that we’ve been knocked back in a move for Benrahma
Bid is not high enough. He’s got to be worth 12 million, surely?
Whatever he’s ‘worth’ Brentford have already stated ‘we don’t want to sell him and it would take a huge offer (for us to let him go)’. I can’t see our owners being held to ransom.
Word has it Bournemouth asking 16 million for Minns. Also Villarreal we’ve got a medical booked for Wednesday for Pablo formal. a forward on Par with Madison.. Think that covers your post Badger, paper talk.or fake news.
Think we can expect some Spanish players coming given our new scouting set up!
Pablo Fornals isn’t a bad player from what I remember from watching Villarreal this season. At 23 he might not be a bad bet.
£16 million seems a bit steep to me.
As much as I like Mings, he played the equivalent in minutes of less than 10 games in 3 and a half years for Bournemouth, so he’s not exactly proven in the Prem.
That said, the way prices have gone, it is what it is and as I said, I do like him.
The whole of football is being driven by inflated numbers on the back, primarily, of TV income – all bubbles burst!
I think that Mings is more than just a player, he leads by his attitude. For all the pressure that he could have felt during play-offs he seemed to relish the challenge.
I feel he’s also a much better player after working with JT for a while. I think he’ll be well worth the money.
Pat 57, Mings no doubt has won the heart of the fans, to loose him could possibly undo the feeling thats in the club now, We know Grealish has a big future around the corner and I feel that England will be calling on him shortly. It’s a great feeling to think my club is back in the big times and cannot wait for the start of the season., happy days are back . Utv.
Bill, It’s a shame that I can only give you one ‘Like’ for that. I couldn’t agree more.
If a goalkeeper (Butland) is supposedly worth 20+ million, Mings must be worth 16, in my book. I’ve never seen Butland play. Any comments, guys? For over 20 million, you’d think he’d be England’s number one. Is he really that good? I’d prefer Etheridge at half the price! More PL experience and proven he can cope at that level. 10 clean sheets last season, apparently. That’s tremendous in a relegation fodder team. I’ve always said his the goalkeeper position is as important as the centre forward, in terms of points they can win. Pleased to see we’re looking to strengthen there. Hope we get it right!
I’ve seen Butland a few times and think he seems a safe goalie on the whole.
I definitely agree about a goalie being important and sadly, as much as I’d like Steer to be given a chance, we need better.
The interesting question is who would leave if we get another goalie in?
We’d have Steer, Kalinic and Nyland as back-up, as well as any kids.
I think we’re overstocked as we are.
Lot of gossip linking Villa to a bid for Butland – Villa 8/11 favourites with Sky Bet to sign him.
Although Nyland, on goals conceded, looks the worse option, actually overall his stats are better than Kalinic. The reality is Nyland played behind an absolutely awful defence. Notwithstanding, I think Nyland will be the one to leave.
I have my doubts about Steer at Premiership level. He has done well for us but can he perform at that level? Butland can, but it is clear that Smith wants us to play from the back (inc keeper) like Man City and Liverpool do, and England are now doing. Against West Brom it nearly cost us a goal on several occasions, so we need a keeper who can do this. I don’t know enough about Butland to say whether he is comfortable enough with the ball at his feet. Good shot stopper though.
Butland would be an improvement on Steer and, at 26, would have quite a few good years in him. I’d still keep Steer in as number two and play him in Cup games as I think he’s earned that.
Have to hand it to the Villa management team, when it comes to transfers they’re definitely keeping their cards close to their chest.
Pablo Fornals
The rumour mill is now in full swing and Aston Villa seem to be at the heart of it.
You see a link like this with the word ‘MEDICAL’ and it sets the social media frenzy off in style..
Pablo Fornals is the latest name being banded around, literally everywhere on Twitter.
£28m pound deals are mentioned and medicals booked in for Wednesday. Before you know it the rumour has swirled around quicker than Donald Trump’s toupee in a gale.
There doesn’t seem to be any real credible suggestion that Villa are in the running at all.
West Ham are being heavily linked with the Villareal stage and according to Sun hack Alan Nixon, there’s nothing to see here
Yes Bill, it looks like this one might be just paper talk…
Love the Donald Trump quip Bill – made me laugh 🙂
Sky have WHU in for Fornals. Someone got their claret & blues mixed up 🙂
David Cameron?
Yes seen that Hitch, they stand a better chance being a London club .
It’s being suggested that we only paid £4.5 mill for El Ghazi.
Probably because Lille are desperate for money and we paid cash with possibly a big sell on clause.
If that’s true, that’s brilliant business.
From Christian Purslow –
“We have a very well organised recruitment department now under Suso’s (Pitarch’s) leadership. We’ve got some really great young recruiters, and ones with experience.They’ve been working meticulously for many weeks.
We will be inundated with both suggestions and media speculation – that won’t impact us one iota. We will do it thoughtfully and carefully.”
Well said, just hope they keep to it.
Someone at work has told me there was a leaked fixture list which is due to be announced tomorrow morning. If the leak is genuine then we are at home to Leicester on Sunday for first game back in the premier league.
Has the Hause deal officially gone through yet?
Kalvin Philips from Leeds anyone?
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/06/12/aston-villa-target-leeds-united-midfielderkalvin-phillips-14m/
I must say I found him Leeds most annoying player when we played them which must mean he played well.He stood out for me every time I saw Leeds play.
He’s 23 and a very physical holding mid-fielder. At £14 million I honestly think he might be a good bet. I’ll watch this one with interest.
Spurs away! Not fake news this time.