***Transfer Rumours Thread*** [ALL RUMOUR TOPICS MERGED]

[Im_Spartacus]

The flip side is that he could (....could....) be a massive huge fucking success but on the basis that he made hay in Serie A and would be following the Shevchenko, Crespo, Mutu....et al to the Premiership...well, forgive me for feeling uneasy about this

He'll never hack it in the Prem. I expect him to make an appearance here before he retires though- at a newly promoted club, for a final paycheque which will lead to them doing a Bradford/Hull.

If he signs for us, I reckon he'll bag 7 next season in all domestic competitions. And be the best-payed Premiership player (especially considering the wage hike needed to counteract Spain's tax 'Beckham Law' loophole).

That loophole is closed now.

[Original Dub]

Neither player is a one season wonder - both players grew into the season they had when they were nominated/won the YPOTY and are only 23 years old. Ireland had a stinker last season, but I'm fucked if I want him to go based on that.

As for Milner- he's widely expected throughout english football to grow into a midfield dynamo and the signs are pointing towards that, so he's worth the "risk".

To be honest, as it stands, I can't see why an in form Ireland and an in form Milner couldn't play in the same side.

[ashton287]

if he was actually 28 million worth of talent, there would be more then just us interested in him. No one else wants anything to do with him. if he was that good why arent chelsea and barca trying to sign him aswell?. because he is an average premier league player and not good enough to make a diffrence at the top level. If we qualify for CL next year then he will become a very expensive squad player.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I don't think City should be afraid to spend big money on great players.

However this guy is far from great.

Agreed, I am really having a hard time seeing Milner as some fantastic player who will solve all our problems and would prefer to have an attacking midfielder of a higher calibre and consistency.

I think you are both right. Milner is one season wonder I believe and in completely different kind of environment I fear he'd flop badly.

We need someone with a football brain, Milner has none.

That quote is gonna bite the shit out of you.

I value him at about 25m, given he cost Villa 12m, we're in the most expensive market ever (a lot of which has to do with us) and the fact that we are buying the English Premier League's YPOTY.

To say he has no football brain is absolutely hilarious. Fucking comical actually.

The fact that you find it comical has truly made my mind up. For most other people I'd say they've never seen him play. But you saying it means he is absolute football tool. Probably even less chance of him being able to provide any passes to forwards than I though.

[Original Dub]

My saying that your opinion on Milner is comical means your case is strengthened somehow?

You're getting weirder by the minute. Even more of a joke on here by the day.

[ant london]

My saying that your opinion on Milner is comical means your case is strengthened somehow?

You're getting weirder by the minute. Even more of a joke on here by the day.

I think that is because you know "nothing about football"

I too apparently know nothing about it.....which is odd but I believe we are not alone in this surreal world of knowingnothingness

[Im_Spartacus]

I think the only way to take this, is to accept that the fee we pay from now on is totally irrelevant.

If we want the player, we get him. It isnt putting us into debt, it should make us a better side..........even if to the normal fan the money is obscene, there is fuck all we, or anyone else can do about it.

£120m on Milner, Toure and Ibra - so be it
Then we need some full backs and we are not far off where we want to be.

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

On second thoughts he'd be better than Barry or NDJ in the middle. There's no way he should be replacing Bellamy though.

[Ezz]

On second thoughts he'd be better than Barry or NDJ in the middle. There's no way he should be replacing Bellamy though.

I would have much preferred Ashley Young to Milner if we were looking for another wide player - he's been pretty consistent for a few years and is proven at prem level.

[DoomMerchant]

My saying that your opinion on Milner is comical means your case is strengthened somehow?

You're getting weirder by the minute. Even more of a joke on here by the day.

I think that is because you know "nothing about football"

I too apparently know nothing about it.....which is odd but I believe we are not alone in this surreal world of knowingnothingness

Compared to most on here except Vhero and John68, I know nothing about football, and i think Milner would be a fantastic signing. He's not a silver bullet. Altho, these are the silver bullet girls from Coors Light...a <cough, cough, cough> proud American beer uh tradition...mine's on the far left:

[Wooders]

if he was actually 28 million worth of talent, there would be more then just us interested in him. No one else wants anything to do with him. if he was that good why arent chelsea and barca trying to sign him aswell?. because he is an average premier league player and not good enough to make a diffrence at the top level. If we qualify for CL next year then he will become a very expensive squad player.

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2010/06/10/chelsea-in-race-for-villas-james-milner/

[avoidconfusion]

I like Milner and I rate him... however I don't see how he is worth anywhere near 28m... I think the initial offer of 20m was already stretching it A LOT.

[Blue Blood]

I had a chat about Milner with my villa supporting mate the other day and i said to him at 25-30 million that his lot should be snapping our arm off as imo he's worth 20 million at a push. His response was this, he said that should Milner go it would completely shatter the momentum villa have got going over the past 3 or more years, players like Young, Gabby, Cueller and the rest would start getting restless believing villa's "ambition" for top 4 to be no more than words as the best players are going out the door. so generally he thinks it would be incredibly destructive to villa and as such he was dead against it.

With that in mind anyone think paying a few million more than value on a player we like in order to disrupt and harm a potential top 4 challenger isn't worth it? Strictly speaking by signing Milner we could also drop villa into deep internal troubles. Two birds, one stone methinks.

[Beefymcfc]

Funny isn't it that people who wanted Lescott did not complain about the price-tag? Me personally, I really do like Milner as a player, his determination, professionalism and versatility are things I like to see, but I'm not sure about him coming to us for some reason, don't know why, it just doesn't feel right. If we did get him, then I'd have no qualms whatsoever and believe he'd enhance our squad no-end, regardless of the money.

He's a very good quality all-rounder who can play in all positions, especially on the left, and with the exit doors swinging open with the loss of Petrov, and soon to be Robbie, and the fact that Bellers can't play every game, he'll become more than just a squad player.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Funny isn't it that people who wanted Lescott did not complain about the price-tag? Me personally, I really do like Milner as a player, his determination, professionalism and versatility are things I like to see, but I'm not sure about him coming to us for some reason, don't know why, it just doesn't feel right. If we did get him, then I'd have no qualms whatsoever and believe he'd enhance our squad no-end, regardless of the money.

He's a very good quality all-rounder who can play in all positions, especially on the left, and with the exit doors swinging open with the loss of Petrov, and soon to be Robbie, and the fact that Bellers can't play every game, he'll become more than just a squad player.

He is a very good player. That is not the question. Whether he is great player is a good question however. I don't think he is. At close to 30m you are looking at great player, not just some bulking to squad.

For example, if we were to buy David Silva to play similar role for that price, I'd understand it. He is about the same age as Milner and World Class and would be automatic starter (despite me having slight doubts how he'd cope with physical nature of the game). 25m for Arteta I would understand as he has been top performer for very long time and would fill a place of huge need for us. Milner however I don't rate in the same bracket for either guaranteed (as much as you can guarantee anything in football) performance or position of desperate need (I think Milner's best position is on the wing).

Oh, and Lescott filled a position of desperate need in left footed centerback. We were still mugs paying that sort of money for him.

[The Man In Blue]

Funny isn't it that people who wanted Lescott did not complain about the price-tag?

i personally really rated Lescott - i still think he's a quality centre-half, and will have a big role to play next season. The price was extortionate though.

maybe the bad press that deal generated has led to this "hush-hush" approach we seem to be taking this summer. If this is the case, and we are now looking to play hardball maybe the price of the Lescott deal was a blessing in disguise.

[Original Dub]

Funny isn't it that people who wanted Lescott did not complain about the price-tag?

i personally really rated Lescott - i still think he's a quality centre-half, and will have a big role to play next season. The price was extortionate though.

maybe the bad press that deal generated has led to this "hush-hush" approach we seem to be taking this summer. If this is the case, and we are now looking to play hardball maybe the price of the Lescott deal was a blessing in disguise.

I rate Lescott highly, I just think him and Toure don't work.

Its known in inner circles that the price tag and bad start shattered his confidence, but he was beginning to show his class before his injury and he will again next season IMO.

[avoidconfusion]

I rate Lescott as well but I am the first to admit that the money we spent on him was ridiculous.

[Dameerto]

Funny isn't it that people who wanted Lescott did not complain about the price-tag?

i personally really rated Lescott - i still think he's a quality centre-half, and will have a big role to play next season. The price was extortionate though.

maybe the bad press that deal generated has led to this "hush-hush" approach we seem to be taking this summer. If this is the case, and we are now looking to play hardball maybe the price of the Lescott deal was a blessing in disguise.

I rate Lescott highly, I just think him and Toure don't work.

Its known in inner circles that the price tag and bad start shattered his confidence, but he was beginning to show his class before his injury and he will again next season IMO.

Fucling bug eyed Moyes has a large part to answer for too - I'm as close to hating someone as I've ever been over the whole way he handled Lescott and us (and nearly cost his team Europa league football)

[DoomMerchant]

I rate Lescott as well but I am the first to admit that the money we spent on him was ridiculous.

i was like the 2,148th to admit the money spent was ridiculous.

cheers