Wes

In response to a question about us potentially being interested in Charlie Austin (who is about to sign for Hull I think): @JamesNursey 7m @stewartcole79 told #AVFC Lambert v pleased with signings so far. Now wants rid of Bent/Ireland & will then buy a No.10 striker. Last part of the tweet is the key. Makes a lot of sense.

That's a ridiculously good price.

Omariqy asked in the Belhanda thread what other AMs are available, seeing as how the Belhanda link has been doused quite heavily today, Along with Popov who we have already had a strong link with, I thought I would add a few I noted down a monthor so ago. I have no idea if their contract information has changed since then (I didn't know Belhanda had added an extra year) nor have I done further research in to their playing ability (I mentioned Eikrem, who I liked from looking at his stats and knowing he would settle back in England easily, but two regular viewers of his said he wouldn't suit us at all - information which I think trumps my own), but just for a bit of fun I thought I'd post them anyway. Tonny Trindade de Vilhena, 18, Feyenoord. When Ajax manager Frank de Boer was asked who could replace the likely leaving Christian Erikkson in the squad he listed just three names; Adam Maher (Linked with Premier League sides in Europe for a £8-£10m fee), Van Ginkel (Likely going to Chelsea for £8m) and lastly the 18 year old central midfielder from Feyenoord de Vilhena. Whilst he more often plays in a similiar position to Delph for us as the left sided midfielder in a central two, he can play the advanced role linking the midfielder to the attacking three. As evident in this video his first touch and weight of pass can be absolutely sublime at times. For someone so young he has a good amount of physicality about his play too, an area you must think can only improve as he grows in to his body more. He's only played one full season in the Eredivisie however so perhaps he's more of one to look to in the future if he isn't snapped up by the likes of Ajax. Bibars Natcho, 25, Rubin Kazan I only came to notice this guy by his profilic stats in the Europa league and in the World Cup qualifiers for Israel. In those two competitions combined he has scored 3 and assisted 8 in 17 games. In further research he has scored 9 and assisted 6 in 30 games in the league. His contract at Rubin expires at the end of this month. In reports a few months ago linking him with a move to Spurs it was stated he was keen to turn down any new contract by Rubin Kazan to seek a move away. Sevilla have also been linked. But heck, if we can be linked with Honda who is on a free, we can likewise also be linked with the Israeli international and with Spurs increasingly certain on signign Paulinho may there be the slimmest of slim chances...? Georgi Milanov, 21, Litex Lovetch I've mentioned this guy before on VT. I thought if there was any Bulgarian International we would be after it would be this guy rather than Popov for the AM role. He is the young star of Bulgarian football, likely to usurp Popov's place in that advanced central role for the national side more regularly as he gets older. http://youtu.be/9DsTJE5EBsU He's another one I noticed purely by stats, this time from the league. He scored 16 goals in 27 matches last year, assisting 9 times along the way. Hsi best season by far having only score 4 and 6 respectively in the previous two seasons. Ander Herrera, 23, Atlhletic Bilbao In my dreams Ander would complete an intriguing summer transfer window for us. He would cost a small fortune however as Bilbao are actually one of the few clubs in Spain not riddled with debt. He is the metronome that makes Bilbao tick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlhsL4aiAFE For his importance to the team you have to dig a bit deeper than goals (1) and assists (2 this season). He averaged the 6th most tackles in La Liga. He also averaged the 8th highest number of passes a game and 13th most successful dribbles per game. He's a playmaker going forward and dogged tracking back. I think this is by far the least likely of the bunch but I'm just a fan of his so thought best to include him! Some other names which I won't delve in to in much detail due to lack of time: Dennis Praet, Anderlecht Mislav Orsic, Inter Zapresic Ryad Boudebouz, Sochaux Lucas Paizon, Chelsea (on a loan) Vladimir Darida, Viktoria Plzen Valon Berisha, Red Bull Salzburg (maybe vandaq and pappillon can shine some light here)

There is maybe a reason why he isn't going somewhere else. I am no huge fan of him and I have seen him lots of times in the Norwegian Tippeliga. He is decent there and can hit a good pass or two, but to paint a picture, so would Barry Bannan. Eikrem turns 23 in August and I haven't seen that much development the last two seasons. Glad we didn't sign him, we have enough "up and coming" in our team already and now is the time for proven ability. I'll take yours and vandaq's judgment over mine. Sounds like you have both seen more of him than I have.

Shucks. Wolff Eikrem signed for Heerenveen. One of a handful I would've liked here.

Ah, my mistake!

Edit: Wrong information.

I consider this incredibly unlikely. There'll be a team in Europe who can entice him aboard (eg. AC Milan). That said... - His skill level is superior to anyone else in our squad, besides perhaps Benteke in his pomp. - He fills a position of need. - He's on a free. - He would likely command the highest wage on our squad, but it wouldn't have to completely blow our wage structure. If Given, Bent, Ireland were all to leave, one of their £50k-£60k wages could be offered to Honda. So I can see why it's easy journalist fodder to say we're "interested".

I voted yes but I wouldn't be desperate about it. If it was a low fee, a modest wage (supplemented by City for this final year of his contract with them), and perhaps a two year contract with a look to adding him to the coaching staff afterwards then I'd like it.

French site Mercato365.com say that Belhanda may be moving closer to a move to Aston Villa. They've come to unerstand that Belhanda's people are still in contact with Aston Villa, with discussions focusing on the contract for the player as a potential fee has already been agreed with Montpellier. No quotes though. Just a "we understand from our sources." In fact I don't think this means he's any closer to moving to us, but it perhaps is news that we appear to still be in contact with his agent. Edit: Looks like I was beaten to the punch by tomaspg

Best of luck to you Brett.

------------------------------------ Guzan/Siegrist --------------------------------- Lowton/?????? ----- Vlaar/Clark ------- Okore/Baker ---- Luna/Bennett ---------------- Westwood/El Ahmadi --- Delph/Sylla ------------------------- -------------------------------- ???????/Gardner ------------------------------ Weimann/Albrighton -------------------------------------- Agbonlahor/Tonev -------------------------------- Benteke/Helenius ------------------------------- Squad: Steer(?), Herd, Bacuna

Welcome Nicklas! I think this is another cracking signing.

Away to Everton.

The Murphy possibly moving on in August has been the story out of Crewe since April. Not sure why this is but if he is moving we can forget about it until then.

Hah that's brilliant. I hope we incorporate it for match days. I can see the future now.... a Tonev assist for a Helenius goal. Villa fans end up doing the Poznan whilst singing this.

Now Praet? Are these guys on twitter just going through my old posts?

Competition for Bennett. Not a clear replacement. I imagine they'll let them fight it out in pre-season for the starting role in the hope that competing agaisnt one another increases both of their abilitiy in the long term.

The source of that particular story is a wind up merchant on twitter. Don't give him the time of day.

Helenius at the weekend/next week hopefully. After that? If rumours are to be believed Jed Steer, a Norwich youth keeper, to provide competition for Siegrest for that backup role.

It's because he is so versatile that I simply decided to put him in the squad buffer for now but you could well be right.

How I view the squad currently assuming Helenius' move does work out: Guzan/Siegreist Lowton/?????? ----- Vlaar/Clark ------- Okore/Baker ----- ??????/Bennett Westwood/El Ahmadi --- Delph/Sylla ----------- Weimann/Albrighton ----------- ??????/Gardner ------------ Agbonlahor/Tonev Benteke/Helenius Squad: Steer, Herd, Bacuna In: Bacuna £unknown Helenius £unknown Tonev £2.5m Okore £4m Steer - linked Out: Lichaj: Free Makoun £2.5m Overall £4m+ out thus far

Anyone seen a reported fee?

That additional keeper will be Jed Steer from Norwich should the twitter ramblings be believed. I agree though, there'll be a left back brought in to provide competition and, depending upon outgoings, a forward thinking central midfielder.

Fantastic! Welcome Jores!