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

[john@staustell]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/8862366.stm

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has said Manchester City are not prepared to meet the Midlands club's valuation for midfielder James Milner.

Thank fuck we are making a stand.

If we end up paying £30m here we will look like the biggest soft touches in the world. Please walk away City and look elsewhere.

Not this time I dont think. We are now an attractive proposition to many players, many alternatives.

john - Milner would have to kick up a stink to get a move now unless we cave in. Don't think he's going to myself and Id hate to see us go to £30m for Milner - good player, decent player, but not worth anything like that.

I was agreeing with you mate, we wont pay it this time. Clumsy phrasing on my part.

[Mike J]

good, make moves for ozil and luiz and wrap it up!

[john@staustell]

Jo - Real Socidad are being kept waiting by City for the anticipated meeting about Jo, because the City execs are tied up in their efforts to land Galacticos (sic)!

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/2010 ... iedad.html

[BobKowalski]

Disagree. Milner is a key signing for me and would be disappointed if it didn't happen. Equally City should stick to their guns. If they believe that Milner is worth no more than £24m then yes they should walk. It sends out a healthy message as does the Dzeko saga.

Still hope we get him though.

[Goaters 103]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

[johnny crossan]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

Who is? Suggestions on a postcard?! (please don't say Frank Lampard)

[BobKowalski]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

Who is? Suggestions on a postcard?! (please don't say Frank Lampard)

James Milner for one

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

Who is? Suggestions on a postcard?! (please don't say Frank Lampard)

James Milner for one

How is James Milner box-to-box playmaker???????

He is not second coming on Colin Bell you know.

[Ted Hughes]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

Who is? Suggestions on a postcard?! (please don't say Frank Lampard)

James Milner for one

How is James Milner box-to-box playmaker???????

He is not second coming on Colin Bell you know.

He's not fast but he has been getting up & down the pitch pretty well for Villa, particularly in away games, where he's one of the reasons Villa were so successful imo.

[Goaters 103]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

Who is? Suggestions on a postcard?! (please don't say Frank Lampard)

I don't know who he is, its not my job to, but he must be out there and we need to find him. With our resources and financial clout I am sure we can but its a player we are missing badly in our squad.

This player and two full-backs were our biggest gaps to fill - Kolarov and Boateng have taken care of the full-back requirements but the midfield general is still missing. We have lots of role players but no general all-round playe as effective in his own box and the oppositions too.

[BobKowalski]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

Who is? Suggestions on a postcard?! (please don't say Frank Lampard)

James Milner for one

Bobby, he said NOT Milner?

I know. He's wrong. Except for the 15 secs. Probably take Milner 18 secs.

The thing about Milner is that he would be an excellent box to box midfielder if you played him in that role. He is also an excellent CM, AM, RM or RB if you wanted. He also has the right attitude and the mentality that we are looking for. In fact if you had to draw up the qualities that Mancini and Marwood are looking for in players namely youth, power, strength, skill, attitude and versatility then James Milner ticks every box and then some. In the era of limited squads versatility and attitude are even more important. You need players who you can stick on in a variety of positions and almost guarantee a good performance. Milner is that player. Ireland is more skilful and technically more accomplished but (alas) can only play in one position and only then if the moon is aligned with Jupiter can you be be reasonably hopeful of getting a good performance. All I am saying is that we have to start understanding what City are doing in this window and stop getting into a faux tizz about Milner and his price.

[mcfc1632]

I think we do need a box to box midfielder, but not Milner and not at that price.

A midfielde who can make a tackle in his own box, and 15 seconds later be on the end of a cross to score; obviously everyone wants this type of player but he's out there somewhere and with our resources we need to find him. Milner isnt this type of player, and imho neither is Ya Ya.

Disagree - I think Ya Ya is one of the few / best - and I think that is exactly what Milner could develop into - he made good progress last year

As much as I am delighted with all the transfers in - my concern would still be central MF - and please a RB to replace Micah

Surely - surely all the coaching staff at CITY spotted what we did last year - WE LACK CREATIVITY IN MF _ THIS MEANT THAT THE LIKES OF TEVES HAD TO KEEP DROPPING TO HALF WAY TO GET THE BALL.

This is not sorted by Silva alone - and I think that Milner could offer options - and I would certainly keep Stevie - unless he turned all moody

(equally all the coaching staff must have seen how poor Micah is??)

[johnny crossan]

Jo - Real Socidad are being kept waiting by City for the anticipated meeting about Jo, because the City execs are tied up in their efforts to land Galacticos (sic)!

http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/2010 ... iedad.html

here it is sort of translated

Evaluative Summit at the Royal Society
Aperribay and Loren met yesterday with Martin Lasarte to expose the situation of current hiring for this campaign
Manchester City's dump their galactic additions and does a site on the agenda to receive the Real to negotiate for Alves Jo

The Brazilian awaiting news from the U.S.
Jo Alves is waiting for news about his future from the United States, where the Manchester City is on tour and will remain until next week. One of his advisers said yesterday that the MD player "is awaiting the position of Manchester City, to inform him of something if you decide to cross." Although aware that this summer will leave transferred or assigned, Jo "is very quiet, very well trained, very strong.'s Playing, which is what he likes." Then there is scoring goals, his specialty. From the player's environment is not understood that this will hinder their arrival at the Royal Society: "If there is agreement between the clubs, Jo would have no problem going to Real because he wants to play," says

Angel Lopez - 28/07/2010 3:00
When you have to look to the last euro that is in the account is difficult to recruit quality players and more in a summer such as this in which so little is recorded movement. In this frame of mind is moving the Royal to try to incorporate parts tronío to complement the already existing for the year of his return to the top flight is as smooth as possible and, hopefully, happy.
The three top officials of the Royal were cited yesterday in Zubieta up twice to bring together the state of things in terms of signings. Jokin President Aperribay and sporting director Loren met for two hours with coach Martin Lasarte in an office at 12 noon.
The technician sent them peacefully despite concrete could not be any signing a month ago. The Indian expected to bring him three or four reinforcements, with priority for a striker and a playmaker, "but knows how the market works and the limitations of the Real.
Loren Aperribay and explained to him how the negotiations are operations which are overturned, especially that of Jo Alves. In this case, the Royal is at the expense of Manchester City that the appointment to give the final meeting. The President has already explained that this matter be settled for good or bad this week, but now the meeting, probably in England between clubs is not dated.
Those responsible for the City, before casting its agenda to a buyer with a few 'possible' as Real were giving priority to negotiations for the procurement of the cracks they claim. The English press, for example, talk of an agreement with Inter for Mario Balotelli, in addition to efforts to sign Milner of Aston Villa (30 million pounds), to center David Luiz, which also aims at the Madrid, including Fernando Torres, priced at more than 80 million euros. However, the English club are aware that the rules now require them to reduce its workforce to 25 players and, therefore, to sell before the end of August. And Jo is the first in the list of departures.
The Real still finds it difficult recruiting Alves Jo, for the claims of the City, that is far beyond their economic possibilities. Aperribay said Monday that in no case go beyond the limits marked the beginning. The solution may come through the formula to acquire the player, because in the second touchdown, the City cited the possibility of an assignment option.
OK if there is agreement with the City
Sociedad, currently, only contacts with the Premiership club, not the player's environment. And is that both the entity Txuri Urdin as part of the player from what they are saying is that if we could make that difficult agreement between the clubs, there would be no trouble reaching an entente with the footballer, if he does not already exist.
Obviously, the identity of the striker to sign is what most worries both Lasarte as the president and athletic director. Breathe a sigh when they see Jo Urdin Txuri dress.
And is that the further representations appear as directed. Pacheco is very welcome to come to Real after his excellent European-again yesterday ', and Demidov mojar' has all the hallmarks of reach after their party's August 4
http://www.elmundodeportivo.es/gen/2010 ... iedad.html

[Cityfan]

He's not fast but he has been getting up & down the pitch pretty well for Villa, particularly in away games, where he's one of the reasons Villa were so successful imo.

I don't think Milner has the kind of electric acceleration that some wingers have to beat their man like Lennon and Walcott. He was though a schoolboy district 100m champion, he has the kind of speed and energy to support an attack quickly as a box to box midfielder.
Not sure if bidding much higher than we are, when we are trying to avoid being seen as a club that can be taken for a financial ride makes much sense though.

[Scatman]

He's not fast but he has been getting up & down the pitch pretty well for Villa, particularly in away games, where he's one of the reasons Villa were so successful imo.

I don't think Milner has the kind of electric acceleration that some wingers have to beat their man like Lennon and Walcott. He was though a schoolboy district 100m champion, he has the kind of speed and energy to support an attack quickly as a box to box midfielder.
Not sure if bidding much higher than we are, when we are trying to avoid being seen as a club that can be taken for a financial ride makes much sense though.

Is it possible that we never really wanted him anyway?

Villa are a top team and wouldn't let one of their best players go cheaply, and as its us they were likely to do the same as Everton did with Lescott last year. It could have been Mancini's strategy to go in like this and then when Villa don't drop their price after a few weeks of haggling and a transfer request from the player, we walk away. The effect is that we come out of it looking like a club that won't be taken for a ride and pay over the odds, despite it being clear that the player wants a move. Villa are worse off for it but it is there fault. I don't remember seeing too much coming from Man City about the transfer - everything has been leaked by Villa. In the meantine City work on the transfers that they actually want to happen the most.

[Cityfan]

Is it possible that we never really wanted him anyway?

Villa are a top team and wouldn't let one of their best players go cheaply, and as its us they were likely to do the same as Everton did with Lescott last year. It could have been Mancini's strategy to go in like this and then when Villa don't drop their price after a few weeks of haggling and a transfer request from the player, we walk away. The effect is that we come out of it looking like a club that won't be taken for a ride and pay over the odds, despite it being clear that the player wants a move. Villa are worse off for it but it is there fault. I don't remember seeing too much coming from Man City about the transfer - everything has been leaked by Villa. In the meantine City work on the transfers that they actually want to happen the most.

Think we want him, can't see us bidding serious money if we didn't, which we undoubtedly have. Don't know how much we want him though.

[Beeks]

The thing is rather than headlines being 'City won't be taken up the arse' it will more likely be 'Milner Snubs City' if it doesn't go through...

[brite blu sky]

i did want us to get Milner at the right price, his all round game in relation to say Lennon or Walcott says it all. he is a much better all round player and therefore more useful and worth more. However im starting to think we dont need him, it maybe the other signings we have made or the idea that one midfield general type thing is old hat.

Right now though id take Milner at any price IF it meant that Vieira was ditched from the 25. The more i am thinking about this the more i cant stand the idea of Vieira taking the place of a younger and better player. If the price for that was 30 mil and i had the money i would gladly pay it in cash.

[Ted Hughes]

He's not fast but he has been getting up & down the pitch pretty well for Villa, particularly in away games, where he's one of the reasons Villa were so successful imo.

I don't think Milner has the kind of electric acceleration that some wingers have to beat their man like Lennon and Walcott. He was though a schoolboy district 100m champion, he has the kind of speed and energy to support an attack quickly as a box to box midfielder.
Not sure if bidding much higher than we are, when we are trying to avoid being seen as a club that can be taken for a financial ride makes much sense though.

We can all give our opinions on what we think of Milner & his price but it counts for nothing. It's Mancini's decision, not us bunch of amateur tacticians & armchair managers on here. Milner is worth whatever price Mancini puts on him. If he's reached that point now then we move on, if not we up the bid. If Mancini's plan for next season & the future has Milner as an integral part then we can haggle as much as we want for now, but if it doesn't work, we pay the fee even if we don't like it.

No point in people on here putting their own price on him because of what they think he can or can't do, it's how much Mancini thinks we need him that's important. If he's essential; we buy him.

[Beeks]

He's not fast but he has been getting up & down the pitch pretty well for Villa, particularly in away games, where he's one of the reasons Villa were so successful imo.

I don't think Milner has the kind of electric acceleration that some wingers have to beat their man like Lennon and Walcott. He was though a schoolboy district 100m champion, he has the kind of speed and energy to support an attack quickly as a box to box midfielder.
Not sure if bidding much higher than we are, when we are trying to avoid being seen as a club that can be taken for a financial ride makes much sense though.

We can all give our opinions on what we think of Milner & his price but it counts for nothing. It's Mancini's decision, not us bunch of amateur tacticians & armchair managers on here. Milner is worth whatever price Mancini puts on him. If he's reached that point now then we move on, if not we up the bid. If Mancini's plan for next season & the future has Milner as an integral part then we can haggle as much as we want for now, but if it doesn't work, we pay the fee even if we don't like it.

No point in people on here putting their own price on him because of what they think he can or can't do, it's how much Mancini thinks we need him that's important. If he's essential; we buy him.

So long as it's not 30 mil