Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

If it's true then I think that just about assures us that Ronnie stays.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

There do seem to be some great holding/defensive midfielders waiting to come to the EPL if you take a chance. Veloso and Cana are a couple being thrown about.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Lorik Cana would be perfect for Arsenal. We've been linked with him for a couple of years, but nothing has ever materialised.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Also means you won't be asking him to play on the left wing, with luck Silva will be playing there instead.

---------- Post added at 06:31 ---------- Previous post was at 06:31 ----------

Apparently they have £300 million to spend...

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

And Ronnie might love to play alongside Kaka.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Apparently Barry is on £100k a week now. I'm sure that will garner some goodwill when he returns to Villa Park.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Won't it just? Apparently, Villa had offered him 80k a week (which would have doubled his wages), but he's had his head turned.

I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't actually play at Villa Park...

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

That's why I don't think money is the principal motivator. When you're offered 80k a week to stay, I don't think an extra 20k on its own would cause you to move. According to the news reports on the radio this morning he will be one of many signings at Man City over the summer.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

But then they'll run the risk of having top players just sitting on the bench week-in and week-out. As has already been said, City already have / had a decent midfield, so at least one of them's going to missing out.

What sticks in the throat is the whole 'I want Champions League football' thing - I don't think anyone would have blamed him if he'd gone to Liverpool this year (assuming that they came back in for him), but he's gone to a club who haven't even got Europe next season. It's all well and good saying that City should push on next year, but there's no guarantee.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Interesting

In an open letter to Villa's fans published in the Birmingham Mail on Wednesday, Barry said: "I want the chance to explain my decision.

"I have a massive fear of going stale and falling into a comfort zone.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...la/8081102.stm

United could be busy this summer....

Real Madrid are set to launch a £30m bid to lure Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic to the Bernabeu

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez is to reject the chance of staying at Manchester United, despite the Premier League champions looking set to meet the £32m asking price.

Manchester City appear to be the favourites to land Tevez, with the 25-year-old's representative Kia Joorabchian claiming his client feels "humiliated" by United.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Are Real stupid? Do they think United are a selling club?

Are they stupid enough to think United will break up the best defensive partnership since Pallister and Bruce?!

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Are Milan a selling club? Sad fact is if a player wants to go there is very little a club can do to stop them going. I don't think there is anything in this story, time will tell though.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

I've got no idea about Milan but United aren't a selling club. Vidic to Real? No chance. Barbatov to Acccccccrinton Stanley? That's more like it.

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Breaking news - Benitez is going to City! - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ty/8081077.stm

Re: Football Close Season Thread
 

Even the crazy money men at City had the sense in not going for Rafa, lol.