January Transfer Window 2011

Karen Brady leaving Wham not Avram

Rumour going round we've had a £18m bid accepted for Darren Bent

debaser wrote:Rumour going round we've had a £18m bid accepted for Darren Bent

Blowing up on twitter atm

Hope we had a sell-on clause.

Being reported everywhere now.

He scores goals and we need goals. But that is crazy money - some saying it may go over 20m with add-ons

It's basically the Milner money from the summer, I suppose..Relegation is pretty expensive business.

debaser wrote:Being reported everywhere now.

He scores goals and we need goals. But that is crazy money - some saying it may go over 20m with add-ons

It's basically the Milner money from the summer, I suppose..Relegation is pretty expensive business.

When you're desperate, you're desperate. Look at us 2 years ago, we spent approx £40mil in Jan 2009.

No point in Lerner cost-cutting when relegation would hit the club that much harder, especially with your high wages/turnover ratio.

Yup. We are certainly in need of a goalscorer and Bent is one of the most established in this league. Top scorer in calender year 2010 apparently..

Carew has probably played last game for us if this is true. I think we'll have a few leaving by the end of this window to cut down the wage excess (and probably not till the end, as people are only gonna want 'em when they get desperate ).

He's handed in a transfer request as well. Ungrateful little bastard, after everything Sunderland did to help him get over his "hardship" with us.

When you've got a chance to go to the Villa, you don't mind pissing off Niall Quinn and a Potato

debaser wrote:When you've got a chance to go to the Villa, you don't mind pissing off Niall Quinn and a Potato

He'll likely get you out of trouble, but you'll soon realise that if you want top 6 again, you'll need more, much more.

Should've just bought Gyan in the Summer - Houllier probably sees him as one that got away...

Summer was a write-off for us though, due to managerial issues.

Sunderland are currently sitting in 6th with Bent. Top 5 is a big step up in overall quality, but most teams outside that could easily change places. We need to get back to the top of that group first - well, this season we just need to get to midtable obscurity.

People will rightly argue we can get better value abroad (I expect some cackling Germans to appear any time soon), but it's harder to attract the players if you're sitting in 17th and not based in London or backed up by infinite Arab wealth. Bent is certainly the most proven striker in this league from the last few years that we realistically could go for.

Bent is a great player and one of the finest strikers England has to offer but 18 million is a bit ridiculous. Mind you Glen Johnson cost 17 million

Also rumours that Liverpool are after Downing, but I don't think that's gone past enquiry stage.

Certainly a chinteresting transfer window in Villa land. Could be looking at something like 4/5 in and 5/6 out by the end.

Heard that as well, but it's just speculation

Surprised no one mentioned this but a lot of talk this past weekend about Suarez to Liverpool(incl a few broadsheets). I'll need new pants if it happens.

Dutch media confirmed earlier today that Luis Suarez wants move to Liverpool in this window and direct talks took place between Ajax/LFC on Sunday.

Also talk of Van Bommel joining us for £3M

debaser wrote:Also rumours that Liverpool are after Downing, but I don't think that's gone past enquiry stage.

Certainly a chinteresting transfer window in Villa land. Could be looking at something like 4/5 in and 5/6 out by the end.

Been a whole load of rumours of us being in for A.Young. Downing rumours broke out yesterday or Saturday though.

According to Marcotti - Young to Liverpool, pays for Bent to Villa, frees up cash for SUFC to take Owen from Man Utd and also N'Zogbia from WIG

Does Marcotti usually get anything right? Potato man said Owen to Sunderland was "bollocks" yesterday. Wouldn't be surprised if they went for Zog though.

Young might well leave in summer, but I'd be surprised if we sold him this window. Don't think we actually need to sell to fund Bent, as we got the Milner money.

We do need to cut the wage bill, but that is more about offloading overpaid fringe players (am hoping we can possibly shift one or two to Sunderland as part of this deal; Ireland's a possible).

It's not just Marcotti. I'm too lazy to look for other links but i there has been a lot of discussion and links posted on the other sites I look at( boards.ie and theliverpoolway.com , I'm sure a lot of stuff has been mentioned on RAWK too.)

__

On the NESN site now -

http://www.nesn.com/2011/01/report-anfield-destination-of-choice-for-luis-suarez-negotiations-ongoing-for-transfer.html

Liverpool is reportedly quite close to landing top transfer target Luis Suarez from Ajax, as reports in the Dutch press have claimed that not only is Anfield his destination of choice, but that negotiations are already two days in the works.

According to De Telegraaf, Liverpool contacted Ajax about Suarez on Saturday, and discussions continued on Sunday.

Suarez has also been pursued by Tottenham, and many thought that he preferred White Hart Lane as a destination so that he could raise his daughter in London, but the opportunity to join Liverpool's many spanish-speaking players and to pair with Fernando Torres in the way that he pairs with Diego Forlan for Uruguay has swayed Suarez in Anfield's direction.

Suarez, who is under contract in Amsterdam until 2013, will likely cost upwards of £21 million, but his creativity and goal rate certainly justify such a cost.

debaser wrote:Being reported everywhere now.

He scores goals and we need goals. But that is crazy money - some saying it may go over 20m with add-ons

It's basically the Milner money from the summer, I suppose..Relegation is pretty expensive business.

Yes! YES YES! Darren Bent is their HERO!

The Santa Stalker wrote:Should've just bought Gyan in the Summer - Houllier probably sees him as one that got away...

Yeah great player, he manages to be invisible for 93 minutes and then a ball hits him and goes in the net. Sooooo overrated round these parts. If you think Bent is a talentless runner....

Deb - How much do you think you will get for Ireland ? we did well to get £8m for him when you consider how he has fallen. Its a shame he has potential but he just doesnt seem right in the head. I guess selling Milner was like a swap deal for Bent & Ireland.

SSN saying the deal is £18m up to £24m

I bet Sunderland go straight in for Robbie Keane !!!

Also is Carew leaving now ?

I cant believe how much your charging for Saturday £41 quid !! but im looking forward to it its normally a good away day.

debaser wrote:A signing

How did he cost you ? do you think Downing will be off to Liverpool ? Sorry for the questionfest !

Sgoater1 wrote:
I bet Sunderland go straight in for Robbie Keane !!!

Lets hope so.

It would be brilliant if Downing went to Liverpool.

Kimbo wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:
I bet Sunderland go straight in for Robbie Keane !!!

Lets hope so.

3/1 on skybet !

Sgoater1 wrote:Deb - How much do you think you will get for Ireland ? we did well to get £8m for him when you consider how he has fallen. Its a shame he has potential but he just doesnt seem right in the head. I guess selling Milner was like a swap deal for Bent & Ireland.

No idea what's happening with Ireland. Been suggested he may be part of this but I think that's only 'cause he was linked with Sunderland in the past. Might be best to loan him out for rest of the season if someone wants to play him, as he's not looking like getting in the team anytime soon and I can't see who'll pay for him at the minute.

Sgoater1 wrote: SSN saying the deal is £18m up to £24m

Ya. January premium + English premium = a lot of money. £24m would double our transfer record.

Sgoater1 wrote: I bet Sunderland go straight in for Robbie Keane !!!

Mebbe. Brum have just pulled out of signing him, 'cause of wages. There is the Irish connection.

Sgoater1 wrote: Also is Carew leaving now ?

Almost certain to go whether we get Bent or not. Not really in Houllier's plans and doesn't seem like he cares any more (prob 'cause he knows he's leaving). I think we're just hanging on till Heskey's ban is over then he'll be off to WBA or somewhere. Bit of a cult hero, but I think it's time for him to move on.

Sgoater1 wrote: I cant believe how much your charging for Saturday £41 quid !! but im looking forward to it its normally a good away day.

Sorry. Hope you have a pleasant day despite the loss

Sgoater1 wrote:

debaser wrote:A signing

How did he cost you ?

£5m + add ons, maybe upto ~£8m. Not a bad price I reckon - I'm hoping he'll add a lot to our CM. Not sure if work permit will be through in time for him to play you lot.

Sgoater1 wrote:do you think Downing will be off to Liverpool ?

Don't think so. Unless we can get A.Young to sign a new contract. We ain't gonna wanna lose both, I wouldna thought. I wouldn't be totally devastated if we cashed in, though I like Downing and he has been a lot better this season. With Young and Albrighton there are good wing options (and Bannan, Delph, Gabby, Fonz can play wide if needs be). But as I say, Young's future is in question and I think it'd be foolish to sell Downing now, knowing Young might be off in the summer too.

Sgoater1 wrote:Sorry for the questionfest !

I forgive you

debaser wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:

Deb - How much do you think you will get for Ireland ? we did well to get £8m for him when you consider how he has fallen. Its a shame he has potential but he just doesnt seem right in the head. I guess selling Milner was like a swap deal for Bent & Ireland.

No idea what's happening with Ireland. Been suggested he may be part of this but I think that's only 'cause he was linked with Sunderland in the past. Might be best to loan him out for rest of the season if someone wants to play him, as he's not looking like getting in the team anytime soon and I can't see who'll pay for him at the minute.

Sgoater1 wrote: SSN saying the deal is £18m up to £24m

Ya. January premium + English premium = a lot of money. £24m would double our transfer record.

Sgoater1 wrote: I bet Sunderland go straight in for Robbie Keane !!!

Mebbe. Brum have just pulled out of signing him, 'cause of wages. There is the Irish connection.

Sgoater1 wrote: Also is Carew leaving now ?

Almost certain to go whether we get Bent or not. Not really in Houllier's plans and doesn't seem like he cares any more (prob 'cause he knows he's leaving). I think we're just hanging on till Heskey's ban is over then he'll be off to WBA or somewhere. Bit of a cult hero, but I think it's time for him to move on.

Sgoater1 wrote: I cant believe how much your charging for Saturday £41 quid !! but im looking forward to it its normally a good away day.

Sorry. Hope you have a pleasant day despite the loss

Sgoater1 wrote:

debaser wrote:A signing

How did he cost you ?

£5m + add ons, maybe upto ~£8m. Not a bad price I reckon - I'm hoping he'll add a lot to our CM. Not sure if work permit will be through in time for him to play you lot.

Sgoater1 wrote:do you think Downing will be off to Liverpool ?

Don't think so. Unless we can get A.Young to sign a new contract. We ain't gonna wanna lose both, I wouldna thought. I wouldn't be totally devastated if we cashed in, though I like Downing and he has been a lot better this season. With Young and Albrighton there are good wing options (and Bannan, Delph, Gabby, Fonz can play wide if needs be). But as I say, Young's future is in question and I think it'd be foolish to sell Downing now, knowing Young might be off in the summer too.

Sgoater1 wrote:Sorry for the questionfest !

I forgive you

Do you know what the activation clause is that will take the price from £18m to £24m ?

For £5-8m Makoun is a decent signing, i hope he doesnt get his W/P in time for us though

I just dont understand were the money has come from when you wouldnt give MON anything ? he left at the time Milber was due to leave so if that money was going to become available surley he'd have stayed.

I really thin you need to keep Young. Your midfield is looking decent with Maoun coming in and the yougnsters coming through, although you really rely on Petrov to make you tick.

Do you have confidence in Houllier ? you have a decent team and just need a few new faces and you will start doing well again.

No idea on activation clause - at a guess; staying up, # of goals?? Hopefully they are clauses which are only going to be activated if he's living up to the massive fee!

The general belief on MON simply leaving 'cause he wasn't being given money is wrong. By the best accounts I've heard, he was told he had to cut the wage bill before bringing in more players 'cause he'd signed a bunch of players like Sidwell, Beye, Reo-Coker on big wages and wasn't playing them. He was getting frustrated with how far he could take the club, the Milner situation exacerbated it and rather than sticking it out a bit, he threw a tantrum and quit. In some respects it's good, because it's far from clear whether he would give much of the young players a go - Albrighton, Bannan and Clark would probably all be getting frustrated in reserves as he played the same XI every week regardless of form.

We've got a wealthy owner and haven't spent anything in the last year, with money having come in from Milner so I'm not surprised there is money to spend, particularly with threat of relegation. Lerner seems totally devoted to Villa and they're backing Houllier to spend to sort out the weaknesses in the team which have needed addressing for a while, with a number of players leaving in this window and the summer to sort out the wages. Spending big now will hopefully show A.Young and the others we want to keep that the club is going in right direction.

By the end of summer, I will not be surprised if we have let go of Friedel, L.Young, Warnock, Reo-Coker, Carew, Beye, Davies, Cuellar at least - with a mixture of new signings and the young players filling in the gaps. It's going to be period of big change.

Whether Houllier is right man ultimately, I don't know. It's obvious he's being backed now and the fans have cooled down after it got rather bleak a few weeks back. See how he does with a few of his own signings and fully fit squad to pick from. Long term, best hope of really getting anywhere is with the young players we got coming through and some of them becoming top players - we've obviously got money but not money to buy like City or Chelsea.

I'd much rather sign Young than Downing.

I'd rather have neither though.

Both are better than any of your wingers, but I'll be happy if you take neither too

[quote="Luis"]I'd much rather sign Young than Downing.

I'd rather have neither though.[/quote]

Seriously ? i mean seriously

debaser wrote:Both are better than any of your wingers, but I'll be happy if you take neither too

That really doesn't take much. Downing is having a decent season but has been a huge let down since he had 1 or 2 good seasons at Boro. He's not that much better than Maxi.

Ashley Young is a great player on his day but is a shade of his former self when ever I've seen him in the last year.

I think we can do better and not have to play inflated prices for 2 wingers who don't even get into the rubbish England squad.