6 players in and 4 players out rumours

May 1, 2009 by Martin Banks
Filed under: Aston Villa, Transfer News 

There’s enough rumours out there to keep even the biggest gossip mongerers happy at the moment. I won’t put too much trust into any of them yet as they are exactly that; rumours. The transfer window is still a while from opening. But it is exciting (particularly whilst we aren’t exactly being exciting on the pitch) to imagine the new players that we could be watching next season.

In

– There are plenty (and will be plenty more) rumours around for Barry and Laursen replacements, even though at present they are both still Villa players. The main rumour for a Laursen replacement (or back up if the Villa Fairy can get some good healing miracles going) is Doran Goian. I don’t know the correct pronunciation of his surname (but that has never seemed to matter anyway as we just say them as we see fit; how many actually said ‘An-hhell’?) but I what I do know is that he is a Romanian giant who plays for Steau Bucharest and he gets well and truly stuck in. He even holds records for most bookings! So whilst he would be tough tackling and good in the air, he may well end up being suspended from time to time.

- To replace Barry (who hasn’t actually left yet, but a minor detail like that will never stop the rumour mill) we are being linked with Yohan Cabaye of Lille. He is a young Frenchman, but he doesn’t look likely to end up with us as Arsenal are also interested. Seeing as how they are in the Champions League semi-final and we have fallen on the home straight plus the fact that Wenger is a fellow Frenchman, it seems that if they want him they have more chance than us.

- Also in the Barry role is Fabian Delph of Leeds. The youngster has shown some great form for them down in League One but is so far untested in the Premier League, which makes the £6m price tag sound very expensive. This guy could well be a huge flop once pitted against Frank Lampard and Steve Gerrard, instead of League One (Third Division) midfielders. He would be a great player to get on board and to see if he blossoms in the reserves and in sub appearances, but if we are limited in funds then £6m seems wasteful as he couldn’t just walk straight into the void Barry would leave.

- Glen Johnson has been linked in what is unlikely to be of any substance; to move to Villa for £16m! First off the guy is not worth that much and secondly we are not in real need of a right back. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great player, versatile and one I’d like at Villa, but with funds probably being limited, why would we spend £16m on a position we are pretty comfortable in. Luke Young has been good this season and whilst a good alternative and/or back up would be great for us, it’s not gonna happen for big money.

- This one I’m making up myself; Carlos Tevez. Call it a long-shot and a pipe dream if you will, but he has openly admitted that he is likely to trap from Man Utd and he could be a perfect fit for our jigsaw. We create many chances but we don’t have a natural finisher to do the final touch and pop it in the net. Tevez is good with his head and his feet and has an eye for goal; he’d be a great buy. Unlikely to happen though sadly.

- Finally, a mini-rumour; Rudolf Skácel of Southampton who is a Czech international midfielder. He’s a long way from being a Barry replacement, but with the Saints as desperate for wonga as they are, he could well come on the cheap and help fill us out in numbers if nothing else.

Out

- His spatting with MON has only been more widely covered in the media by his night out at a strip club in Birmingham, but John Carew has quashed rumours of his exit this summer by publicly announcing his intention to stay with us. It’s what the fans want and hopefully what the manager wants too. Here’s what Big John had to say:

“I see no reason why I should leave, I am enjoying my football and I am happy to be contributing towards the cause and for the good of Aston Villa.”

- Gareth Barry is surely going to be the big summer leaver from Villa, if the rumours coming out of Liverpool are to be believed. The guy is again linked with Anfield and this time it will probably be funded for Benitez and also cheaper, owing to him not having quite as good a season as last, but moreso to the extra year on him now. I think he’ll go, but whether he does or not, to me the most important thing for Villa is that it is all sorted out as quickly as possible, not dragged out.

- Martin Laursen is the big sad story at Villa this summer. It is looking more and more likely that he will never play for the club again, or if he does, in a much smaller role than we want from him. Laursen has been nothing short of inspirational this season and the fans will still love him, whatever he chooses to do. A real club hero.

- Finally, Wolves are interested in Villa man Craig Gardner. This has little chance of happening due to Gardner’s love for Villa, he seems to me to be happy to scrap for games and settle for the bench, as long as he still wears claret and blue. But football careers are short-lived and he may well begin thinking of playing regularly and consider the local move. Wolves are believed to be willing to pay around £2.5m, which could help Villa’s treasure chest for players in. I’d hate to see the boy leave because as a staunch Villa fan, I love players that love the club, but as far as bringing us big success goes, Gardner will never play a huge part. His versatility and passion would be missed though.


Comments

5 Comments on 6 players in and 4 players out rumours

  1. Scrumpy on Fri, 1st May 2009 14:07

    2. After what MON said about Gardener at the recent Moscow meal I’d be very surprised if he let Gardener go. The youngster will only get better and better, and is also one of the most versatile players (lb, rb, winger, midfield).

    I even have a theory that Barry may stay for just one last Hurrah. Cement his place in the World Cup team (not just squad), be able to go on a Bosman at the end of the year and play CL or play CL with his first choice team (i.e. Villa) and earn himself a well deserved top contract.

  2. Aero-4-Villa on Fri, 1st May 2009 17:44

    3. On the Martin Laursen retirement subject,

    I personally would love to see us sign Lescott or sign back Gary Cahill.
    But, if we cant I would love to see MON sign:

    -Sami Hyppia

    I think he be a quality replacement. He would bring the experience, some of the quality and the stability that Villa lacked when Laursen got injured!

    And… hes out of contract which ultimately means – a quality centre half for free!

    UTV!

  3. peter on Fri, 1st May 2009 18:03

    4. Scrumpy,

    What did MON say abour gardner at the dinner? I am intrigued.

  4. Simeon on Sat, 2nd May 2009 0:16

    5. I’d be gutted, but unsurpirsed, to see Gardner go. There are two reasons why we shouldn’t have signed Sidwell; Craig Gardner is the first, and Sidwell being average at best is the second. Gardner it seems to me is underrated by the Villa faithful, owing to the disgraceful lack of opportunities he’s been given, and the few chances he has got have either been at right back or on the right side of midfield, when he is clearly a central midfielder. I’d love to think that Scrumpy is right, and that Barry might indeed stay, then leave for free at the end of the season, but I see two reasons why this won’t happen. The first is that we don’t seem to have that much money, and so any transfer fee would be ‘appreciated. Secondly, and more importantly, I think Barry would be wasting his time with us. Even with him on board, I can’t see us challenging for a top 4 spot next season, so what would be the point of him staying from his point of view?

  5. andy villa on Mon, 4th May 2009 8:20

    6. i am not a huge fan of gardner… he works hard, and has a good attitude, but so did marlon harewood…

    if we are to progress, we need better than the likes of gardner, osbourne, salifou, as backup…

    personally, i would like us to sign brede hangelaand or david wheater to partner davies… that would be an excellent complimentary partnership at the back…

    we are rumoured to be interested in hangelaand, and richards… would be delighted with both…

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