Gaz Baz

[dww]

I dont think we should bother selling alonso unless he genuinely wants to go back to spain or we make about 15 mill profit once we've replaced him with barry.

we should get rid of the likes of babel, voronin, dossena and even riera to raise funds to enable us to buy villa and silva - i.e. upgrade the left wing and get another top striker to support torres.

I'm surprised how many people consider selling Riera, especially those who are ardent Alonso supporters. For me a key reason that Alonso has been more effective this season is that Riera has given the attack width and hence created more space centrally for both Alonso and Gerrard.

[Roboklopp]

aye

[Mattshark]

I personally think we'll get more for him.

So do I he is worth more than that.

[Craig_H]

You may be right, perhaps we'd get £6m or so. I cant see it being much more.

[saveferris]

I think both players will be good for the club, but that doesnt mean I see them as first team regulars. The attitude of both players will be to fight for their place, as a result this could hopefully enable to result in better players for themselves and the team.

We should recognise our only weakness is the strength in depth of our squad, not the first team. I would even go as far as to say if we signed these 2 and say Glen Johnson I would be satisfied as they represent an improvement in quality where we need it, and being in an environment where they are training and playing with the best will improve them. I dont think we have to sell anyone in the first 11, however squad rotation is key and both players can do an excellent job.

[lickedlollipop]

we won't sell dossena for 6mio no ****in way. he's gonna stay for one more season.. and then he'll go on loan back to udinese or some italian club.

[Bari]

I don't think we'll be buying Downing, rumour he's out for 6 months due to a serious knee injury

[Redspin]

Alonso established himself as top drawer first season he was here, then he went backwards.....go figure.

In fairness to Alonso, his perceived (by some) going "backwards" must be heavily affected by his long periods out of the team with a broken ankle and broken metatarsel (twice I think). When he's been fit and in the team regularly he's been quality. It's no coincidence that Perez, in putting his case to be Real's new president, has targetted Alonso as one of two main targets - with Kaka - if he gets voted in.

I do agree with everyone else in saying that the heavily one-footed, one-dimensional Barry would be an extremely poor replacement for Alonso, who is a midfielder of the very highest quality

[Rich]

I'm surprised how many people consider selling Riera, especially those who are ardent Alonso supporters. For me a key reason that Alonso has been more effective this season is that Riera has given the attack width and hence created more space centrally for both Alonso and Gerrard.

As usual Dave, spot on.

[Roboklopp]

As usual Dave, spot on.

Isnt it time you two got a room?











(I agree tho).

[kingfunk]

I don't think we'll be buying Downing, rumour he's out for 6 months due to a serious knee injury

Blessing in disguise.

[Lisburn Red]

Blessing in disguise.

[MrsB]

Aston Villa's huge deal for Gareth Barry to keep him from Liverpool

James Nursey, 20/05/2009
Mirror



Aston Villa are offering Gareth Barry a huge new deal in a final attempt to keep him out of Liverpool's clutches.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is willing to sanction England midfielder Barry, 28, getting a whopping £80,000-a-week to stay.

The star has one year left on his contract at Villa Park and had been widely expected to move to Liverpool this summer.

But O'Neill hopes the proposed new deal, plus the lure of regular first team football, the captaincy and offer of a testimonial, will tempt Barry to stay.

Liverpool, who failed with four bids for Barry last summer, remain interested in the left-footed maestro, who has 29 caps.

But Villa have once again shown their determination to retain their prized asset by offering to break their wage structure in a bid to keep him.

Villa's England prospect Ashley Young is the club's current highest earner on £56,000-a-week.

Yet Villa are willing to top that with an offer to Barry which reflects what he could have earned had he moved to Anfield last summer.

Villa officials are now hopeful Barry may extend his stay in the West Midlands since making his debut in 1998.

Barry's midfield partner Stiliyan Petrov will definitely be staying at Villa as he is on the verge of penning a new deal.

Petrov said: "I think we're in the final phase now. Things could happen in the next few weeks. We are nearly there."

[lickedlollipop]

dunno what to say. let him decide. ^^.

[Kenneth]

Blessing in disguise.

What's the disguise?