So those of you who have been reading/contributing or whatever for a while will know that I’m not a fan of speculation because 95% of it is typically absolutely rubbish. But at the same time, I know some of you love it and given that I’ve just realised I haven’t written anything for over a fortnight and tomorrow is the start of the transfer window, it seems a good time to start this thread.
As per usual, we’re selling most of the team and buying a whole new premier league for our squad. Hmm.
It does seem though, that if you try and read in between the lines a couple of possible moves might prove to be reality. First is Douglas Luiz to leave at £50 million or whatever. While this is miles lower than the £80-100 million that has been talked about I think this might be a good deal for us.
I haven’t previously wanted him to go, but I now have a sneaky feeling that his agent and him have been trying to engineer a move. I know some have said his form dropped in the last couple of months, but I think it’s more than that. I think there’s been something very strange in his attitude and it was demonstrated by his sudden terrible disciplinary record. I’m going to go so far as to say that was some small form of a protest and demonstrative that he quite simply wants out.
I don’t think it’s a money thing. He wants a new challenge and his agent thinks Juventus is the place. Good. If you want to go that much, clear off. With my blessing. The club is bigger than you. I can’t say I’m particularly interested in Winston McKennie and the other lad coming our way, but we do need numbers in.
Second, is Jhon Duran to Chelsea for £50 million. That’s frankly laughable and half of that would be a good deal. I’m convinced the lad has a serious attitude problem, as much as I believe he actually has a somewhat valid reason for having it. The fact is Emery doesn’t yet deem him to be good enough to outdo Watkins and it’s as simple as that. And if he doesn’t have the patience to listen to the manager he can go. Particularly if he’s giving the manager a problem, which I think he is.
Having had another glance at the news, it appears Chelsea have agreed a £42 million fee. I’m inclined to think he could be a bargain signing for them, but if it isn’t working for him at the Villa, that’s a lovely amount of money in the pot to stave off this PSR rubbish.
Then, there’s Matty Cash. We’ve apparently slapped a £30 million price on his head. Where do these stories come from? I’d take half that if we have a replacement lined up.
And finally (although I’m sure there’s plenty of other stories) there’s Diegos Carlos, who cost us a fortune, given his age. I liked the look of him early on, but wouldn’t miss him now. That said, we need better defenders and I’m not convinced Mings is ever going to get back to where he was. Maybe we might do better keeping Carlos as a back up? No doubt he’s on big wages though, so I’ll trust the club’s judgement on that one.
Anyway, this is just a starting point. I’m sure many of you will be more interested in the speculation and chat about other rumours.
Me, I’m only interested in deals inked, whether in or out.
Comments
543 responses to “The transfer thread”
Vavel.com reported on the game and this is from their info sheet.
Bescot Stadium
It is the home of Aston Villa, one of the most beautiful fields in the Premier League despite being one of the smallest, has a capacity for 11,300 spectators and was inaugurated on August 18, 1990, will host this friendly match between Aston Villa and Athletic Club, where it is expected to have a very good entry with a fan base that always encourages his team, certainly a great stadium for an exciting soccer match.
Accurate.
Remind me not to click (bait) on any of their articles!
Villa extend Kesler Hayden’s contract only to send him out on loan to Preston.
Add that to the identical situation with Louie Barry (Southport) and the cynic in me suggests they’re eyeing up more academy sales in the summer to help with PSR or whatever they decide to call it next.
In the meantime we buy in more promising youngsters to add to the ‘production’ line. Not good but I don’t blame the club; it’s the EPL that need to take a good look at itself and their ridiculous financial regulations!
Just seen Archer’s goal. Well done, son. An example for all strikers, young and old. His mindset was clearly “f*** you, I’m scoring here, whether you pull me or push me.” Bravo. Proper striker.
Sad to hear Alan Little has passed away. RIP
Crikey! Next to MacParland, he was my all time favourite Villa player.
Sad sad news.
I’ll have to cut out the drink. I, of course, was thinking of Brian but I do remember seeing his brother play in the Youth Cup in 72 when we beat Liverpool over two legs. What really sticks in my mind was seeing John Gidman play. We all thought that he’d be a good un and he was.
It seems likely that Villa will let Carlos (nearly 32) go which means we will be very short at CB unless Emery thinks Bogarde can step up. I noticed he played the whole 90 minutes against Bilbao.
1874 – you watched the game – any thoughts on Bogarde?
It seems likely we are looking for another right sided defender – maybe one that can play RB or CB?
It also seems Emery wants to ‘replace’ Diaby with someone who can play in the hole behind Watkins – Felix appears to be top of his wish list. I agree with Badger here – Grealish isn’t the answer, neither do I believe he’s interested in leaving Citeh where he can pick up more trophies for his cabinet (meow!)
Can Emery work some magic and tame Duran’s impetuous immaturity?
Definitely need at least one CB. I would say one loan too, as Mings won’t be up to speed until at least Christmas, I imagine. That would give us Konsa and Pau first choice, then two newbies, plus Mings = 5. That’s what we need, in my opinion. Work to do. Don’t forget Chambers has gone too. I know, but he was an extra man, like it or not. If Carlos goes, need two more. If not, need one CB for sure.
Loan’s a good shout BFR – I read we were trying to structure a loan to buy deal for Felix but Athletico want a straight sale (to help offset the Alvarez transfer?). I suppose it might be possible with a hefty loan fee upfront.
I also read (somewhere but may be mistaken) that Emery’s not a fan of pure loan deals – Lenglet and Zaniolo being emergency replacements for Mings and Buendia.
Bogarde looked pretty good and the fact that he played the whole ninety minutes might tell us something. Certainly Emery isn’t afraid to throw youngsters in if he thinks they’re up to it, so you never know.
Personally I think that we’ll still need a new CB if Carlos goes but Bogarde may well be a good back up and one to watch for the future. Note also that, as Emery likes versatile players, Bogarde can also play as a DM too.
If he plays against Dortmund and hold his own, then I might be convinced. It’s such a critical position, no risks can be taken going into the season and before the window shuts. I’d still be inclined to get an experienced defender on loan, at least until January, and definitely the signing of a younger upgrade on Carlos if he goes…
490 posts.
Is this a record?
Just re-read Badget’s original post.
Not much changes 🙂
No, that’s a flat black piece of plastic you get music from. Ta ta ding! 🙂
Ahem, on a brighter note, I’m contemplating the next post.
According to Sky, Fulham in talks with Villa over Carlos deal – one bid rejected – which seems to be par for the course!
Agree BFR, we will need to replace him if he leaves.
See Chelsea are out buying every player on the planet again including 8 (yes 8!) goalkeepers.
Utterly bonkers
Let’s get this to 500 comments then!
3
2
1
Whoooo!!! 501!!!!!!
What happened?? Did we just sign Levi Strauss or something?
Or Brian Lara?
Where’s Ollie?
Awe just found out about Alan Little how sad that he passed away remember him doing really well at york city RIP Alan
First half and we are getting a wake up call with most of the game chasing shadows. Dortmund don’t need a biased referee but they have got one anyway. Torres has been really poor with his stray pass leading to the first goal and getting robbed in the six yard box to concede the second. No player has shone for us except maybe Rogers. Does anyone know why Watkins isn’t in the squad?
Awful miss from archer. Still down 2-0. Nice crowd of 81,000
2-0 and over. Only day 25 mins the Germans were tidy. We were ok but not sharp enough. I’ll let someone that saw the game give their opinion
Interesting game.
Minuses –
Didn’t really press in the first half, on our heels a bit.
Having to play against 13 men, the team, the 81,000 crowd and the ref. The ref was so bent that I thought we were playing against Man Ure for a while.
Positives –
Ned Kelly played 90 minutes and he looked great as did Philogene.
We pressed and passed well and won the second half on our play.
The double pivot of Onana and Tielemans is looking good.
Overall fairly happy and remember we were playing the CL finalists on their own ground.
Bring on Wet Spam.
Ah – Ned Kelly – you had me going there 1874 🙂
Surprised Ollie wasn’t given minutes – hope he’s not injured!
We played all our warm up games without a recognised central striker so it’s hard to draw finite conclusions.
Ned Kelly??? I don’t get it…
Nedeljković
BFR Sorry but I can never remember his name…
🤣
Nedeljković
👍
And here’s me trying to think of a Villa player who’s an Australian outlaw with a penchant for shootouts with the police. Overthinking it! 😆
And wearing a tin pot on his noggin 🙂
Wasn’t Mick Jagger in the film? Apparently the kid looks awesome…
I still think Ollie is resting. He worked his rocks off last season and then on England duty. Emery knows Ollie knows his role…
Can’t wait for Saturday!!!!!
I wonder if the deal for Duran to go to West Ham is still on and will take place after we play them on Saturday and before the transfer window closes, thus allowing us time to get one of our last remaining targets through the door, possibly Joao Felix.
Apart from disciplinary reasons, I can’t understand why he didn’t feature against Dortmund
Do you think Ollie will start first game?
Yep. Nailed on. And I bet he scores!
I see the Felix saga has taken a turn with Chelsea now in for him Their 86th buy of the summer. How the hell do they get away with it?
If Felix doesn’t want to jump at the chance to join Villa, let him go elsewhere.
Totally agree. Let’s go for players who really want to come to Villa. We don’t want mercenaries. Let him piss off to the bright lights of London to join up with Chelsea’s 100 man squad.
Agree Bum Bum, Holte.
I assume and hope that Emery / Monchi are not only focused on Felix and have other targets to replace Diaby.
Wonder what kit we will play with Saturday as we still don’t have an away one