Gossip Column - villamad.co.uk

Frosinone, colpo Tonev dall'Aston Villa

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 16:32:00 +0000

From tuttomercatoweb:

Il Frosinone sta per piazzare un colpo importante per l'attacco.

Trattativa avanzata con l'Aston Villa per il bulgaro Alexander Tonev, classe 1990, cresciuto nel CSKA Sofia e che gli inglesi avevano rilevato qualche anno fa dal Lech Poznan.

Nell'ultima stagione Tonev ha giocato con il Celtic in Scozia rientrando all'Aston Villa per fine prestito.

Ora l'irruzione del Frosinone: sarebbe un colpo molto importante per le qualità del ragazzo che può giocare indifferentemente in tutti e tre i ruoli dell'attacco, ma che si distingue soprattutto come esterno offensivo.

Il Frosinone molto forte su Tonev...

Kozak out? Ljajic In?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:30:00 +0000

Kozak

Celtic are in talks to sign Aston Villa striker Libor Kozak before the transfer window slams shut, according to various media reports.

26-year-old Kozak has yet to start for the Birmingham side this season, despite looking a damn sight more impressive than Gabby in pre-season and has played only 15 games since arriving at the club in 2013 due mainly to injury.

The Czech forward was plagued by injury in his debut season due to complications from a broken leg. German team Mainz are also said to be sniffing.

Adem Ljajic

Villa would clearly need to replace Kozak in the squad if he were to leave and Tim Sherwood rumoured to be after Roma forward Adem Ljajic.

Ljajic, 23, joined Roma from Fiorentina in an £8m deal in 2013 but maybe surplus to requirements after the Rome club landed Mohamed Salah and Edin Dzeko..

No way Jose! Villa in the hunt for Fonte?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:43:00 +0000

Are Aston Villa really are in talks to sign Southampton captain Jose Fonte?

Well we are if we can believe "Sky sources".

The imposing 31-year-old defender has been linked with Everton, who have already snapped up Barnsley whipper-snapper Mason Holgate this week.

Fonte joined Southampton from Crystal Palace in 2010 and is a key part of the first-team squad at the south-coast club. He is a key figure at St. Mary's and had previously hinted that he would only leave the Saints to play Champions League football.

However Fonte recently dumped his agent, which may well hint that he's looking at a move or a better deal from his current club.

Are we on or off the Boilesen?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:35:00 +0000

If Italian media reports are to be believed, Aston Villa are competing with Genoa for the signature of Ajax's Danish international defender Nicolai Boilesen.

Boilesen looked set for Genoa after his father was reported to have paid two visits to Italy to meet with officials in the last few weeks and the Serie A side are said to be keen on the deal.

However, Sky Italia hint that Aston Villa are taking an interest in the player as they look to complete their squad in the home stretch of the transfer window.

Calacio Mercato report that Nicolai has rejected Genoa's terms and is in contact with Villa.

Villa have recently bought Jordan Amavi to fill Boilesen's favoured left back berth and he capped some impressive pre-season displays with a man of the match performance at Bournemouth, so it's difficult to see the logic of tracking the Dane.

Joe Bennett remains on Villa's books as a deputy for Amavi and under 21 starlet Lewis Kinsella is rated by Tim Sherwood.

Villa were linked with the player earlier in the window but were thought to have put in a low offer.

Villa "underbid" for Keita Balde Diao

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:20:00 +0000

Aston Villa are said to have made enquiries about Keita Balde Diao, but Lazio are holding out for wodges more cash.

The truculent striker of Senegalese descent is thought to have demanded a transfer after reports emerged of a row with President Claudio Lotito.

The President is reported by Il Corriere dello Sport as having set the starting price for the player at €15m, in agreement with sporting director Igli Tare.

Aston Villa's alleged valuation €10-11m for the player is said to be the highest bid so far, but Lotito is expected to hold on a little longer.

Adama Drama: Traoré elige nuevo destino

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 11:19:00 +0000

Tanto el Stoke City como el Liverpool se quedarán con las ganas de acoger en sus plantillas a Adama
Traoré. El español, de origen malí, recalará en la Premier League pero lo hará de la mano del Aston Villa, club con el que firmará un contrato de tres años con un cuarto opcional según el diario As.

El extremo de 19 años estaba decidido a cambiar de aires debido al descenso del filial azulgrana a Segunda B y al ver que no tiene hueco en el primer equipo del FC Barcelona. De hecho, Luis Enrique no le ha citado para realizar la pretemporada, lo que ha provocado que la joven promesa busque una salida.

Adama Traore rumblings gather pace

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 16:41:00 +0000

Pretty in Pink

Tantalising Barcelona prospect Adama Traore is strongly rumoured to be having talks with Aston Villa and has apparently been allowed to travel to England by his club.

The 19-year-old winger was being tracked by Liverpool but some sources think their interest has cooled, leaving Villa and ambitious and well backed Stoke City fighting to bag the player.

Adama

He is believed to have the dreaded release clause in his contract that allows him to leave if a bid of €15m is received, though other reports suggest that Villa would take him on a season long loan, provided there was a right to buy at the end of it.

With new signings aplenty, Traore would have to fight for a place in the starting line-up and is unlikely just to stroll into the first team line-up.

Berbatov in shock Villa link

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:16:00 +0000

Dimitar Berbatov is on "the brink of joining Aston Villa", it is reported tomorrow.

Stan Petrov is said to have told Tim Sherwood that the mercurial forward wants one last crack at the Premier League.

The move seems unlikely with Jordan Ayew just through the door and Adebayor about to hook up with Villa on a season long loan deal.

Berbatov is a free agent after being released by Monaco.

Guzan and Tonev up for cut price sale?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 14:10:00 +0000

Those knobheads at Daily Mail are reporting that Brad Guzan is surplus to requirements at Villa Park, and Villa will let him go for £3 million.

They also report, with probably more creditability, that Tonev is set for the exit door. No surprise there since he never managed to win over the Villa faithful and was branded a racist while on loan at Celtic.

If the tales about Guzan are true, Timbo either has massive faith in recent acquisition Mark Bunn and young Jed Steer or he must have another keeper in his sites.

You could understand if Brad Guzan was unhappy having been jettisoned from the first team by Tim Sherwood last term, while it was made publicly known that the club was tracking Begovic before he buggered off to bench warm at Chelsea

Villa to sign Emmanuel?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 17:11:00 +0000

Aston Villa are being strongly linked with Tottenham spare part Emmanuel Adebayor in a move that could see the enigmatic striker re-unite with former manager Tim Sherwood.

With goals hard to come by for much of last season, Villa need to boost their attacking options this summer and, with Christian Benteke looking likely to piss off up north, they’re targeting Adebayor as a replacement, according to reports.

Once a true attacking force at Arsenal, the Togo striker had a brief revival during Sherwood’s stint at White Hart Lane in 2014 and so signing him is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Spurs are said to be looking for a £5 million fee, though some reports suggest they 'd give the player a pay-off which would enable him to lower his heft salary demands.

Villa in Sergi Darder Link (again)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 11:39:00 +0000

Sergi Darder, the Spanish midfielder who plies his trade with Malaga is close to signing for Aston Villa if Italian media reports can be believed. Big IF.

They report that a deal is being done with Malaga for a figure close to ten million Euros.

Darder has long been linked with a string of Italian clubs and was said to have been a Paul Lambert target last summer.

Song for Gueye?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 05:11:00 +0000

Aston Villa have agreed a transfer fee of £9m for Lille midfielder Idrissa Gueye , if "Sky sources" can be believed...

Gueye has been linked with several other Premier League clubs, with Southampton, West Ham United and Crystal Palace in the chase, but Villa are reported agreed a fee with Lille and hope to finalise the signing of the 25-year-old within the next 24 hours.

We should be careful about these reports though, as just yesterday it was reported that Gueye was bound for Marseille.

Chery?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:47:00 +0000

Aston Villa are said to be in the box seat in the chase for Groningen winger Tjaronn Chery.

Villa are reported to be in talks for 27-year-old's signature, and are haggling over the Dutch club's asking price.

Chery scored 17 goals last season, 15 of wihich were in the Eredivisie, and served up 12 assists in all competitions.

Villa in the hunt for Asmir Begovic?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:56:00 +0000

Save!

Villa's recruitment team are said to be in the hunt for Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic's signature.

The Bosnia shot stopper is high on title winners Chelsea's shopping list but Villa hope to snare the keeper with the offer of regular first team football. Brad Guzan lost his place to aging Shay Given at the back end of last term.

If Begovic buggers off to Chelsea he's likely to be behind Thibaut Courtois, who has cemented his position as first-choice between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.

The 28-year-old rocked up at the Britannia Stadium in 2010 from Portsmouth and has cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League's best goalkeepers and a key reason Stoke are consistently mid-table.

He has made over 160 appearances for the Potters and has 41 caps for Bosnia.

His signing would likely mean the end of the road for Shay Given, while Guzan might not want to hang about either if he feels he's been replaced.

Villa linked with Angelo Ogbonna

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 09:02:00 +0000

Tuttosport are reporting that Angelo Ogbonna is on his way out of Juventus, with a Villa Park a possible destination.

Bologna and Southamption are also thought be in the running for the defender after he failed to make the expected impact at Juve.

Recently David Gold tweeted "I am delighted to announce the signing of 23-year-old midfielder Pedro Obiang from Sampdoria. Pedro, welcome", while adding a picture of Angelo Ogbonna.

Ogbonna was used mainly as injury cover last term and will be looking for regular first team football at his next club.

A major downside if we do sign the player will be people who insist on chanting "Oggie, Oggie, Oggie" at every available opportunity.

We can't see this one coming off but then we never thought we'd sign Antonio Luna so what do we know?

Villa linked to left back Jordan Amavi

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 11:32:00 +0000

Reports coming out of France are linking Villa with promising French Under 21 international left back Jordan Amavi.

Amavi made a name for himself last term in Ligue 1 but it would be a huge leap to walk straight into a Premier League outfit such as Villa. Defensively, the lad still needs to learn but he can look exciting when going forward.

Villa have had no shortage of left back's on the books in recent seasons but none of them made the position their own and we ended the season with likes of out of position Kieran Richardson and right backs Matt Lowton and Alan Hutton attempting to fill the void.

If the rumours were true, Villa would face competition from Olympique Lyonnais for the lad's signature.

£10 million too pricey for Chester?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:44:00 +0000

Is £10 million too much for a defender at the heart of a defence that has just been relegated?

If that truly is the asking price, as reported in some papers, it is likely to be too rich for Randy's blood.

The Welsh international made 32 appearance for the struggling Tigers last season.

Villa were reported to have scouted Chester (along with a myriad of other players) a couple of seasons ago but the whole scouting operation has been revamped of late.

Standing at just 5' 10", he's hardly what you'd call statuesque.

One to keep an eye on.

Weimann Derby bound?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:31:00 +0000

Shine bright like a Weimann

Villa's Andi Weimann is set for a drop down to the Championship, having failed to live up to his early potential in the Premier League.

The 23-year-old Austrian international has a year to run on his contract but appears to be out of favour since Tim Sherwood took over from dour sourpuss Paul Lambert

His last start for the Premier League club was in the 3-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford on April 4.

Now it looks as though Derby are to swoop with £2 million bid for a striker who never really made the grade.

Weimann can play up front or far less successfully in a wide attacking role.

Derby's options in those areas have been reduced following the departure of Jamie Ward, Tom Ince and Jesse Lingard.

Villa sniffing around Swindon starlets

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 May 2015 13:01:00 +0000

Sherwood in for Swindon pair

Socceroo Massimo Luongo has almost certainly played his last game for Swindon Town, with chairman Lee Power letting slip that the midfielder could be at a Premier League club within days.

Power confirmed that three top flight clubs along with relegated QPR were fighting for Luongo’s services after Swindon were thumped 4-0 in the League One play-off final against Preston North End at Wembley Stadium.

Aston Villa are in the box seat to snaffle Luongo because of his relationship with Tim Sherwood, while Crystal Palace and managerless West Ham are also possible destinations.

Power reckons Luongo could sign with one of these clubs as early as this week.

“There are a number of offers from Massimo. That's not surprising because he’s been a star for us this year.

“Something could happen this week … we have three substantial offers in from Premier League clubs and we need to sit down with Massimo and his advisors and decide what to do."

"The numbers being mentioned are around £3 million, which is good money for us and we’ll be pleased with that. Mass has come from nowhere to become one of the key men in the Australian team and he will be a fantastic asset for someone. One day he will play in the Premier League – and it might be as early as next week. We are not going to stand in the boy’s way.”

Luongo has been named in Australia’s squad to face Kyrgyzstan in the national team’s opening World Cup qualifier for Russia 2018 next month.

The Telegraph are reporting that it will a double swoop from Villa with Ben Gladwin also on the shopping list.

Gladwin spent his formative years in non-league football and it remains to be seen whether he can make the leap from League one to the top flight.

(we stole the Melinda Messenger joke...)

Sorry, when I read Tim Sherwood's after "Swindon pair" I just think of Melinda Messenger! #avfc
— Family Tradewell (@TradewellFamily) May 25, 2015

Taylor-made left back in the offing?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Mar 2015 12:19:00 +0000

The Mirror are speculating that Swansea City's left back Neil Taylor's could be up for grabs for as little as 3 million smackeroonies.

The 26-year-old is heading towards the last season of his current contract, hence the rumours that he may be up for grabs.

Aston Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland are among those mentioned as being in the hunt.

Left back has been a problem area for Villa in recent seasons with a string of players failing to make the position their own. Joe Bennett has spent the season in Brighton, Dame Edna Stevens has been packed off to Doncaster and Tony Moon went to Italy where he vanished without trace, although recently, rare sightings of him are reported.

An injury crisis had caused Tim Sherwood to play Alan Hutton and Matt Lowton in the position of late while Lewis Kinsella is lined-up to make the leap from the Under 21s if thins deteriorate further.

Taylor has impressed at the Liberty of late and Crystal Palace came sniffing in the January window.

Scott Sinclair winging his way to Villa?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 11:49:00 +0000

Sinclair's missus

Aston Villa have reportedly made a bid to sign Manchester City flop Scott Sinclair on loan this month.

The 25-year-old former Chelsea wide man has struggled to earn regular first-team football since moving to the Etihad Stadium.

Sinclair has made a poultry four appearances this season as a late substitute, but various sources claim that Villa manager Paul Lambert is keen to lure the player to the West Midlands, despite his apparent aversion to width.

Villa may face competition from the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and even Norwich City for his signature.

However, Sinclair is thought to favour a move back to the Midlands and kick start his career away from the Premier League champions.

Sinclair spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion

Ron Vlaar fucking off to Naples?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 03 Jan 2015 12:16:00 +0000

Aston Villa defender, Ron Vlaar, reportedly has agreed terms to join Napoli.

Coach Rafael Benitez is looking the shore up his leaky defence and the injury prone Dutchman is seen as a solution.

According to the newspaper Il Mattino , Vlaar is said to have received an offer from Napoli. However, it is not known when the 29-year-old's deal will be completed now or at the end of the 2014/15 season.

Manchester United are believed to lurking in the background should the Italian deal go tits up.

Vlaar's constant injury niggles will mean that any early leaving deal may be hampered by the medical.

Villa to splash the cash...on Tom Cleverley!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Aug 2014 14:36:00 +0000

Tom

Paul Lambert is about to splash £8 million of Randy's cash on Manchester United's underachieving midfielder Tom Cleverley.

Lambert will have to beat off competition from Hull City and Everton to land the England international and it's another signing destined to divide the fan base. Cleverley's performances for club and country have not been overly inspiring.

Randy Lerner

Cleverley has been told he can leave Old Trafford as new United manager Louis van Gaal seeks to reinvent his squad.

Reports suggest that Randy Lerner has loosened his vice like grip on the purse strings to allow the under-pressure Lambert to offer Cleverley a fresh start at Villa Park, with some trustworthy sources suggesting the bid has already gone in.

Whether Cleverley can rebuild his reputation in front of an notoriously unforgiving Villa Park crowd remains to be seen.

Stoke cast off Wilson Palacios on verge of Villa move?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 12:06:00 +0000

Wilson

In the words of the late great Victor Meldrew "I don't believe it".

Stoke City spare part Wilson Palacios is on the verge of a move to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, according to reports in Honduras. This despite Villa's recent capture of Carlos Sanchez.

The 30-year-old midfielder had been (unbelievably) linked with a switch to Villa Park before but seemed set to be heading to Qatar earlier this summer.

That deal collapsed amid reports the former Wigan and Spurs man had failed a medical.

Stoke chiefs are reported to have been working with Palacios's agent to see what options are available before the end of the summer transfer window.

Update: Mark Hughes has (hooray) pour cold water on this story:

"I'm not aware of that interest," he said. "He had an opportunity to go to Qatar which would have been good for him but that fell through.

"We like him as a person and a player but sometimes it's right to move on.

"Interest from other Premier League clubs is not something I'm aware of."

Is Aly Cissokho the answer at left back?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Aug 2014 13:36:00 +0000

Could Liverpool flop Aly Cissokho be the latest player to fill the troublesome left back spot at Aston Villa? Possibly if reports emerging from media outlets in Valencia are to be believed.

Rumour has it that Valencia would take a nominal fee to get the player off their books.

Liverpool had an option to buy the player for around £3 million but declined after the player struggled to adapt to the Premier League. Brendan Rodgers often opted to play right backs on the left side rather than trust the Frenchman's defensive abilities. Some Villa fans will be sceptical about a player who lost out to Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan last term.

Antonio Luna has left on a season long loan and no one player has managed to make the left back slot their own as Paul Lambert has tried the likes of Enda "Bomb Squad" Stevens, Kieran Richardson and Ciaran Clark in the role, while Joe Bennett found himself in the Under 21 squad for a friendly at Swindon.

Lambert has also experimented by three at the back and a left wing back role would seem more in tune with Cissokho's talents than as an out and out full back, based on what we saw from him while he was at Anfield.

Both Milan clubs have been linked with the player in the past.