I thought it was about time we moved on from the Man city game and our somewhat disappointing end to the season and looked at better things.
So after getting Boubacar Kamara (on a free) in really early and Phillipe Coutinho (£17 million) even earlier, the club have just announced that we’ve now signed Diego Carlos from Sevilla for a rumoured £26 million.
Even better is the fact that AC Milan were also interested, but frankly couldn’t compete with what we’re supposed to have offered him in wages.
When you consider that Carlos’ supposed value on Transfermkrt is £40 million plus that looks excellent business on the face of it. The Spanish club have to comply with some FFP type rule by the end of June and we’ve obviously used it as something to beat the club down with and then offering the Brazilian defender no doubt sky high wages has obviously swung the deal. We all know how a player can sway a move if he really wants it.
It’s the same with Kamara. I’d love to know what we’re paying him, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he’s currently our highest paid player. £200K a week, or £40 million total, over a four year deal is pretty good business for example and hopefully he hasn’t even cost that much, which makes it an even better deal!
I’ve pretty much said all this in the replies section in the previous thread, so I kind of shot my foot in the foot there, but oh well, this is worth a new subject, I think.
I’m guessing we’ve probably committed to a £60 million spend for this season alone.
Are we spending the Grealish money, I wonder?
If so, we’ve bought an attacking mid, a defensive mid and now a defender. While I think I said previously that I thought we need 5-6 players in (or at least thought it), I think the most popular opinion from what I’d read was around four new players required.
Top players, I mean.
Squad players would be replacements for all those that will go.
So I’m guessing we are going to spend another £40 million on a striker or maybe another two cheaper players.
That’s without wages, by the way.
There’s lots of variables of course, as we could get good money for Ings, if he goes.
But whatever, it’s highly encouraging isn’t it?
We’re doing our business really quickly and even if we pause now, we’ll have players in that will do the whole pre-season. That can only be a good thing, although in all honesty, I don’t think it’s such a big deal. Almost everyone else does though, so I have to go with that, I guess.
What else is also impressing me is how this time, those that are usually totally speculating seem to be very on the ball.
I guess it makes a pleasant change from hearing the usual clickbaiters getting it totally wrong.
I’m also guessing that us paying wages that are blowing top clubs out of the water is hard to keep quiet.
I have previously voiced my concerns that we may be ending up with a “bomb squad mk11”, but I suppose what we’re doing is the right way to go if we really want to compete and get better.
You have to speculate to accumulate and I have to be appreciative of what our generous owners are doing.
UTV!
Comments
233 responses to “Transfer activity up to now.”
Just want to pick up on my comments about Mings – as you might have guessed, whilst I accept that he makes mistakes, I believe there are extenuating circumstances and we would probably have to pay out a club record fee to buy an upgrade.
This is part of a recent article by Rob Dorset regarding Villa’s transfer plans (I was going to use a link but this is only a small part of the whole article).
‘(Villa) still need upgrades as club captain Tyrone Mings seems to be doing everything on his own at the back. He has the second most clearances in THE EPL SINCE 2019 and registered team-topping numbers for passes completed, blocks and aerial duals won (for Villa) this season.
(Villa) have won just one of nine EPL games and conceded twice the number of goals without him. Considering these games were against the likes of newly promoted Norwich, Sheffield United, Watford & Brentford it’s clear he needs help.’
I suspect I won’t change minds on this – like persuading someone to like marmite – but I do think there is a balancing argument that is, at least, worthy of consideration.
I have never really understood ther amount of anti Mings outrage on here. Mings is nearly always the last line of our defence so of course he will get blamed. The other nine players invariably give the ball away but still get “one more chance” because of Mings. I would be really upset if he is released.
Gerry, agreed.
He may or may not be “Euro-level” quality (although his performances for England suggest that he’s capable of playing perfectly well at that level) but I ceratinly think Hitch is right: we would have to convince a very, very expensive replacement to join us, in competition with all the usual suspects (now including Newcastle).
I really don’t want to see another Matt Target-situation, where we have a good player suddenly frozen-out and leaving to join a rival…
Anti Mings outrage?
What a load of modern day snowflake bullshit.
It’s about opinions that’s all and if you don’t that fact then take solace with your offended by everything mates in your uni dorms ( aka please do f&&koff).
I hardly think it’s outrage – surely it’s just opinions that differs with yours RSS?
Isn’t that what this sites about – opinion and debate?
I agree 100% Hitch, there is no anti Mings outrage on here just opinions ( please refer to the above comment).
Ah – think I slightly misread your comments RSS – my apologies
RSS, steady mate.
That sort of approach is not appreciated.
I’m just saying.
I think it’s a very two sided debate re Mings. It’s okay talking about about how we did when Mings didn’t play, but look how poor we were when he was playing.
If you want to look at things like that, we could say that Konsa made him look decent last season, but because Konsa was so poor this season, it made Mings look better.
As per usual, I don’t take much notice of those stats either.
The defence was poor, full stop, imo.
I would definitely have sympathy with the argument that it was probably because of the terrible midfield in front of them, though.
It seems we are definitely after another CB.
That tells me someone at the club doesn’t rate Mings either.
I think what we do all know is that our defence isn’t good enough if we want to seriously compete and needs improving.
Mind you, we could say that about all areas, I suppose.
As I said – if you don’t like marmite ….. 🙂
On a different note it seems possible that Xabi Alonso will be joining Villa as Gerrard’s assistant when Beale leaves for QPR.
Beale’s gone then;
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/michael-beale-aston-villa-qpr-24124710
Remans to be seen how much Beale contributes to Gerrard’s success as a manager.
It seems he’s widely recognised as a ‘genius’ tactician and a brilliant coach.
How do you replace Michael Beale?
Some rumours that Xavi Alonso will be coming in – another of Gerrard’s team mates and one he talks about in his book as wanting, one day, to be part of his management team,
If Beale is that good, we probably won’t be able to replace him.
Yes, Alonso and Carra was also mentioned, I believe.
Villa confirm the signing of Diego Carlos on a four year contract.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2022/june/01/diego-carlos-announcement/
This looks like a seriously good signing at CB.
Welcome Diego.
Excellent!
Now get another one in, Mings out and I’ll be happy!
Only joking. 🙂
Yes, hopefully a very good signing.
In other news, we won’t be going after Suarez.
But my joke suggesstion about Bale being checked out is apparently being talked about!
That’s just too easy a link. Isn’t it?
Media muppetry – easy story?
Link anyone with Gerrard 🙂
I’m not so sure. There may be real some discussions going on, at least.
Nobody expected Couthino to come to VP, let alone stay.
-Although whether Bale would ‘fit-in’ at Villa is another matter.
A more certain transfer story is that we’re likely to make Olsen’s loan move permanent.
Other than that – it seems we’re not pursuing Suarez – I don’t see anything else new on the horizon. I’m not convinced by the Bale rumour but as you say Ardent I suppose we shouldn’t rule anything out.
Yes, I’ve seen the news about Olsen, but have deliberately said nothing about it because it massively underwhelms me.
Signing a back up goalie does that to me, but it’s probably really unfair, because he’s supposed to be very good and we’re getting another good signing.
Yep, not all about headline signings and we need a reliable No2. After what seemed a nervy start I thought he did OK against Citeh and his kicking was instrumental in both our goals.
Perhaps Martinez can learn from Olsen?
Villa have appointed Neil Critchley – currently manager of Blackpool – as Gerrard’s No. 2. Seems they worked together at Liverpool. Good that Gerrard appears to have set up Beale’s replacement early.
Yes, really quick business again.
Let’s hope he’s as good as Beale.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-mcginn-beale-sources/%3famp
That’s a dodgy link for some reason, RSS.
But I think you’re pointing to the story that Beale left because he supposedly wasn’t liked by some Villa players and particularly John McGinn?
The story says that the club and Gerrard didn’t try and stop him going, which might mean the story could be true.
But SJM doesn’t strike me as that sort of person, so I have my doubts.
Strange mate works on my device but the crux of of the article on football insider is Beale had some kind of fall out with McGinn & other members of the squad.
Quote – “said to have had tense relationships with a number of senior Villa stars.”
It appears not such a happy ship down at BMH?
Discipline seems to be a problem at Villa going back to the Gabby days ( Roy Keane, Ray Wilkins alleged bust up).
Indeed. I guess you can always get issues when you get new staff. But that reminds me of when Gerrard said some weren’t taking things on board and playing the game.
We all know discontent leads to poorer performance and that could explain a lot.
Which means we might see some surprising outgoings.
You’re not wrong Badger.
If you were in his shoes (SG) would you really want that/those individuals around next season with the potential for creating a toxic environment?
I know I wouldn’t.
Olsen signs permanent deal.
Not going to set anything alight but seems a sensible move to get on an experienced number 2.
He needs to show Martinez how to kick the ball to one of our forwards 😉
He can give Mings a few lessons too, while he’s at it.
Sorry, sorry, I just can’t help it 🙂
I thought we were against the long ball game???
I think we are generally, but it does make a very useful option sometimes as it can catch the opposition out.
I also find it quite exciting too if it leads to a fast break and lets face it, our particular footy often needs something exciting.
That said, long ball or sideways/backwards?
I honestly think I’d rather have the long ball, as backwards is just so negative.
Going back to the goalie thing, I’ve just seen an article talking about Steer possibly leaving.
It had me thinking that a back up goalie’s job really isn’t very good at all. You spend months on the bench, hardly getting to play and next thing, you’re out the door.
I suppose £30k a week or whatever probably makes up for it somewhat.
I’m just watching Solihull Moors in the play-offs.
The way the commentator’s voice rises several levels when Grimsby get a chance is disgraceful and it’s like watching a Man U game.
Is it really too much to expect him to be neutral?
Something Fishy perhaps? Was there a Hand of Cod moment?
Haha, I Pike it.
I’ll get me coat 🙁
I hope they don’t flounder…
There’s a time and a plaice for everything!
We really must be bored 🙂
Almost as bored as I am of reading how “journalists” and pundits keep telling us what’s going to happen, when the reality is they haven’t got a clue.
Latest case, Luiz, Sanson and Ings “could be in trouble”.
Any Villa fan could have written that, yet it’s supposed to have some credence because Josh Holland said it?
We’ve been talking about those sorts of players for half a season or more!
Roll on the end of the window so we don’t have to sift through this sort of rubbish in the hope of some proper news!
Been looking at “B’ham Live” every now and again over the last few days; they just keep re-cycling the same old ‘rumours’ and ‘might-be’s’ over and over.
Mind you, looking at some of the other paper websites, there’s been almost complete absence of anything to do with Villa at all.
Pretty obvious that whatever the club may be doing behind the scenes, nobody is getting even a sniff out of it.
They definitely seem to know nothing.
Is that good or bad?
I’m really not sure.
Actually, that top agent called Kamara (I think it was him) as a done deal, quite early on.
That’s the sort of stuff we want!
Yes very boring on the transfer front. Like Ardent says, we do so much behind closed doors when it comes to transfers that there probably is a lot of talks going on we will just find out when the club wants us to which can be frustrating at times when all we want is to see “Villa in advanced talks with Mbappe”… on another note Cameron Archer got his first goal for the England u21s tonight. Very pleased for him and keeps that confidence going heading in to pre season.
I’d rather have watched that instead of wasting my time half watching the main England side.
How boring are we to watch?
We’re actually second favourites to win this tournament that noone wants.
Hmm, we’ve lost to Hungary and drawn to Germany.
I won’t be putting any money on it.
I’ve still got high hopes for Archer.
What odds he proves to be yet another who doesn’t live up to expectations?
I hope not, but the odds are not in his favour.
I don’t mean to sound pessimistic about it, but I’ll continue to make the same old point.
We always talk about our “great kids” coming through.
Yet the reality is more like we have one or two a decade who go on to make it to the top.
Hopefully we’ve turned that around and we have a gravy train of players coming through and being sold a la Southampton and West Ham etc.
We’ve certainly been told often enough of how good they currently are.
And we’re still adding to the Academy by harvesting some of the top kids in Britain. If the Academy is to be a success we need to keep feeding new talent in at the bottom,
Rory Wilson is the latest from Rangers – 16 years old and highly regarded striker (49 goals for the youth team last season) for whom, it’s reported, we are paying a £300k development fee. Gerrard should know all about him.
Also after another Scottish youngster but can’t remember his name where, it’s been suggested, we are paying a further £200k. Haven’t been able to find the report though.
On the media muppets – the sheer volume of regurgitated copy being put on line under ridiculous and misleading headlines is embarrassing. The term ‘hack’ springs to mind.
Serious journalism sacrificed on the altar of click bait income.
Definitely far too many over the years who’ve been touted as the ‘next big thing’ only to end-up spending most of their career in the lower leagues.
I’d guess the same must happen at many other clubs, ‘fantastic’ prospects at 16-18 don’t look so hot when they’re 21-23 and haven’t made 1st team regulars.
Ewan Simpson (15) from Hearts is the other youngster we are reported as having agreed a transfer – I think the development fee is £200k. He’s 16 next month and can then sign a pro contract.
I agree Ardent that there’s no guarantee that youngsters will continue their development but I do think we have significantly upgraded our strategy for the Academy up to U23’s. Continually feed promising youngsters in at the bottom through a combination of local recruitment and an aggressive acquisition policy – and if they haven’t made it by 20’ish then ship them out.
Of course the problem with the latter point is we could end up missing out on a
late developer – O’Hare at Coventry might be an example of that.
It seems from Sky reports that Targett’s loan may have included an option to purchase for £12m. Sky are reporting Newcastle are likely to conclude this deal in the next few days.
Some money for the transfer kitty?
It seems the overall deal is £15m including the loan fee. I think we paid £14m for him so a reasonable piece of business.
I still think that’s too cheap 🙂
He obviously didn’t like the idea of having to fight for a first-team berth again – so good luck & good-bye.
(Although what he’ll do if Newcastle spend some of their oil money on a £30m left-back this summer will be interesting to see..)
Good point.
I’d also be interested to know what wages he’ll be getting.
I wonder if Newcastle pay more than the Villa now?
I’d definitely have said not before their takeover, but now is probably totally different.
And we all know wages is what makes the decision for most players.
Which reminds me.
I saw an article that listed every Prem league’s teams wages compared to their club position (estimated by Keiran Maguire).
Guess who was the most places behind where they should be?
Yep, it was us at 4 places lower (10th highest wages, 14th place finish).
https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1534282725347274762?t=auWLhq3B674AGxHJxEasXA&s=19
Cameron Archers first goal for England 💜💙
Ah, nice one Bill.
Doesn’t he make it look easy?
Clinical seems the right word for him.
See the Saudis ‘Public Wealth Fund’ – not, of course, a Government backed fund but headed by the same individual as the fund that bought the Bar Codes – are now taking golf apart. Golfers joining the break away competition now desperately trying to justify their outright greed – they’re not exactly poor anyway?
I have no problem with people earning whatever they can and entertainers get big bucks because we all pay to watch them. But this is greed on a massive scale not justified by income ‘at the gates’ but through funds pumped in by a Middle Eastern regime for political purpose.
Sport is slowly being used by politics and destroyed by money and those within it have their hands out – rather like Oliver Twist!
Football take note.
Rant over.
I saw an article on the news about half an hour ago saying one of the golfers is set to earn £120 million from joining LIV.
It’s just obscene and no surprise that they have players joining them.
Dustin Johnson £120m of appearance money for 8 events irrespective of where he finishes – former World No 1 – now banned from PGA events – who basically said in coded language of course ‘I couldn’t care less (about no longer playing PGA events) I’m here for the money’.
Like American sport in general – all about money and no true competition. I mean where else in the World can you have a World Series between two American teams where no one else takes part?
Says it all.
Apologies in a ranty mood 🙂
The thing is though Hitch, if it was offered, how many people would turn that sort of offer down?
That’s fair comment Badger but we are getting to the point that the sort of monies being paid to top sports people across many sports are now out of balance with reality.
I think that what really annoyed me was the disingenuous way in which they tried to justify their decisions.
Greg Norman said publicly Tiger Woods was offered just under a BILLION quid to play.
Targett’s £15 mill move just confirmed on the Beeb.
According to The Mirror he’s signed a four year contract worth £100k per year – no wonder he wanted to leave!
£100k a week, I assume you meant?
Wow.
Just wow.
Yeah sorry – £100k per week.
Well over the top imho.
“Yeah sorry – £100k per week”.
Over the top compared to what. Maybe a has been golfer who almost certainly will be required to ride a camel at least once a year.
Totally agreed how wage ratios have become crazy between them and us, well me and them at least.
No. Them and the remaining 99.99% of us !!
In reply to your question Gerry – I think £100k per week for Targett is an over valuation of the player, even in the current inflated market, and I couldn’t see Villa paying him those sort of wages. But then Newcastle can afford to pay silly money can’t they?
When you consider Coutinho is on £125k per week.
So Archer got another 2 tonight, that’s 3 goals in 3 games for the U21s. I watched the 2nd half until Archer came off and he really has a strikers instinct. 2 very well taken goals, one of them came from an assist from Ramsey. Could be a budding partnership? Ramsey, when he gets running with the ball looks superb, I think he will be a star.
I keep being impressed by Archer!
I am if the opinion Villa should not look to buy another forward but play him instead. Every challenge he has been presented with he has achieved and some.
*Barrow – scored a clinical hat trick.
* Chelsea – scored arguably Villa’s goal of the season.
* PNE – consistently scored
* England U21: 3 goals in 3 games
We are told emphasis has been placed on developing our own players. Here is one who should be backed. I remember Gary Shaw another one of our own making it at a young age.