Marley the Bognor Villan

Sky Sports understands that Wolves have had an offer accepted for highly-rated Crewe midfielder Luke Murphy. The 23-year-old is the latest product of Crewe's famed academy system to draw attention from afar. Murphy has spent his entire career to date with the Alex, making close to 200 appearances since making his senior bow in 2008. Wolves believe he would be a useful addition to their ranks as they prepare for life in League One. They could, however, face competition for his signature from higher up the Football League. The likes of Swansea, Leeds, Middlesbrough and Blackburn are all believed to have cast admiring glances in Murphy's direction. Crewe have resigned themselves to the fact that Murphy will be on his way out of the club this summer, and are looking to get the best possible deal. The terms tabled by Wolves are considered to be acceptable and it now remains to be seen whether a transfer scramble will be sparked. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8790570/Transfer-news-Wolves-have-offer-accepted-for-Luke-Murphy-Sky-Sports-understands

Aston Villa have confirmed Australian midfielder Brett Holman's contract has been cancelled by mutual consent. Holman joined Villa on a free transfer from AZ Alkmaar 12 months ago in a deal that had been arranged by former manager Alex McLeish. Paul Lambert subsequently replaced McLeish as Villa boss and he included Holman regularly in his plans last season. The 29-year-old made 27 appearances in the Premier League and scored his only league goal in a 1-1 draw with Queens Park Rangers last December. However, with Lambert having already agreed five new signings for next season, reports suggested Holman would be one of the players allowed to leave to make room for the arrivals. His contract has now been terminated and Villa's decision has freed up Holman to complete a move to the Middle East. United Arab Emirates club Al Nasr confirmed on Thursday that personal terms had been agreed with Holman, who needed to undergo a medical before finalising his move. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8788296/Aston-Villa-cancel-Brett-Holman-s-contract-ahead-of-midfielder-s-move-to-Al-Nasr

Sunderland have made a loan offer to Udinese for Matej Vydra, with Czech Republic striker's agent admitted a move to Wearside could appeal to his client. The Black Cats are reportedly one of a number of Premier League clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old, who scored 22 goals while on loan with Championship side Watford last season. Vydra's Italian club are believed to want £8m for the Czech international and his agent told The Journal that the idea of working under Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio appeals to his client. "It is correct that Sunderland are interested, but they are interested in a loan at the moment. They don't want to spend that money at the moment," said Ondrej Chovanec. "Of course it is very interesting. I know Di Canio from when he was a player because I was the agent of Tomas Repka, who also played for West Ham. "I also had a Czech Republic international, Lukas Magera, who went to Swindon. "I think he builds a new team and he wants to get players who want to work hard and who are quick. He plays interesting football and he wants a squad that is capable of challenging for him next season. "So it is an interesting club - but then Sunderland is always an interesting club in England. "To work with Paolo Di Canio would be a good thing. I think he will probably end up coaching with one of the very top teams in England. "The final decision is with Udinese Calcio and the owner Giampaolo Pozzo and there are a lot of clubs interested in this player. "Matej is a quality player and a top player for them, so they will be looking for the best deal available. He can play in a top level and I think that is what he will be doing next season." http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11695/8783037/Transfer-News-Sunderland-make-loan-offer-for-Udinese-striker-Matej-Vydra

Sunderland have made a loan offer for Vydra

Aston Villa are set to conclude a deal for Aalborg striker Nicklas Helenius, Sky Sports can confirm. Terms have now been agreed between Villa and Aalborg, and the 22-year-old is set to undergo a medical on Tuesday. Helenius arrived in England over the weekend after getting permission from Aalborg, despite a fee not being finalised. Now everything is finalised, Villa are expected to confirm his signature within 24 hours. Villa have already been one of the busiest teams around this summer having already finalised deals for Jores Okore, Leandro Bacuna and Aleksandar Tonev. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12691/8781288/Transfer-News-Aston-Villa-to-finalise-Nicklas-Helenius-deal

My guess on that one is its probably because they are playing us on July 26th so are expecting to do a deal after that. Have also just found this from 5 hours ago which looks positive http://hereisthecity.com/2013/06/17/ld-crewe-boss-sure-aston-villa-target-will-be-on-the-move/

Having said all this, there are no links between him and villa, it was just an idea.

That would be F.A.B. I'd be up for it, should try and pawn Clark off on Celtic as well. Me too. He fits the Lambert criteria, would add a better level of competition for places and has played under 21 with Bacuna so they would both have a familiar face to help them settle in.

Groningen have confirmed that they have received an offer for Holland Under-21 international defender Virgil Van Dijk, with Celtic widely reported to be the bidding club. http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8780425/Transfer-news-Groningen-have-received-an-offer-for-defender-Virgil-Van-Dijk at 6 foot 4, this fella wouldnt be a bad addition!

Its also worth noting that last year nobody was expecting Benteke to replace Bent and actually be potentially good enough to play for any of the top four! We know next to nothing about any of our signings again this year but after the last lot I have full faith in Lamberts ability to pick out a few quality signings. We would all like a marquee signing but IMO we got 2 in Vlaar and Benteke last season. We just didnt know it at the time.

Will probably get told off for this but had to re-post this one purely for the class factor. So now we need to talk about Jesus for a minute to justify my actions.

Just shifting those 3 would save us £200k per week in wages according to what wikipedia says they are earning.

I think that if we sign a big name it will be in a few weeks time as the player will want to be sure he hasnt got other options. Also, these things usually seem to work out that you get a press conference to show off 4 or 5 low priced signings together then the big name gets a press conference of his own. Got nothing to back that up but thats the way I see it.

Fixtures come out wednesday!

Nicely summarised. I agree with all of that and would like to add that the signings we are making bare fairly small risk as they are not expensive and not on high wages so if they turn out to be shite, they are young enough that someone else will want them so they wont sit and rot on the bench and wont be too much wasted in wages. If they turn out to be good then we have a decent player and if they turn out to be awesome then we probably lose them to a bigger club but make a shed load of money on them. It's all good business sense from PL and I'm glad RL is behind him. I think our fans helped attract some of these players as well because it is a bonus selling point to a player to show how much support we get even when we are in the bottom 3 and losing! Since PL came in we are like a new team. Good times.

ATOMIC!!!

Villa sign young star http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/sport/local/10483276.Villa_sign_young_star/?ref=rss Possibly not quite ready for the prem yet but could have done with him last season!

Agreed. I would defo like to see a big signing in midfield. We need a Fellaini type player in there. Hopefully PL's scouting network and obvious FM13 research team have their eye on some scandinavian fella to fit the bill.

Stephen Ireland is the latest high earner to be told he can leave Aston Villa, as Paul Lambert continues to build for the future after making two new signings. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/aston-villa/10118947/Stephen-Ireland-told-he-can-leave-Aston-Villa-by-manager-Paul-Lambert.html At the risk of posting out of date news, I thought this was quite a positive read and will do to ease the boredom for now.

With Helenius we will have 4 players to unveil in Tuesdays press conference. Its so nice to get these players in early. They will have 2 months to gel with the squad before the season starts. Also, with the fixtures coming out on Wednesday we have another fun week with lots to look forward to coming up. Loving being a Villa fan right now

You've summed up what we need but I suppose anything else depends on who is leaving. Its all very well building a team of 17/18 young, hungry players but if we get 3 or 4 injuries we will struggle. we need strength in depth without having 50k per week players sitting on the bench that cant be arsed when they do come on.

I still think the Murphy thing could happen too. Especially as we are playing Crewe on July 26th. Could be some discussions between the clubs over a pint after the game.

Bit quiet on the transfer front. New links please!

PL did say he wanted the newbies in before the squad goes to Germany if possible. Cant remember where I read that but the link was posted on here a few days ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=gNosiPCeWVQ Looks fast, knows where the goal is, bottle doesnt go on pens. should fit in quite nicely