Teale's 'tache

It's not sentiment, it's just logical, up until this point he's proven himself to be the more reliable keeper for us which is why he's been playing. If there's a glaring turnaround in both players form in pre-season then fair enough, but Steer deserves to start next season as number 1 because he's handled the pressure and performed better up to this point, so unless/until Kalanic can prove he deserves to play ahead of him, Steer has the shirt. I like Kalanic and I think he will come good, his time will come.

I think he'll get another year, we need the continuity. I'm not his biggest fan but I can see what he brings to the club and as an option from the bench he can be useful.

I agree, although I think having good pro's around to help out the young players does help, but we have those in the squad already with Elmo, Whelan, Taylor, Chester, you could even throw in Terry. There's been plenty of teams promoted recently who have stayed up without much/any Premier League experience.

Gayle is a no from me, he's had his chance in the Premier League and not quite done it, at 28 by the time we'd had a couple of years out of him we'd be making a big loss on him. He doesn't fit the profile we have set out, so I'm thinking this may be his agent trying to drum up some interest.

Kalanic will get his chance I've no doubt but he may have to be patient, Steer has the shirt for me, it's down to him how long he keeps it.

Agree with all of this, even posted the same list of players we might keep in the 'outgoing 2019' thread! We need some continuity, we need to hit the ground running and trying to integrate 10+ players will prevent that. It's part of the reason getting the loan players permanently is so important, they are already integrated.

I agree with this, we need to keep some continuity and that will mean keeping hold of a few players we maybe don't think are good enough to fill out the squad. I think Taylor will stay, just as a backup to whoever we bring at left back, he has Premier League experience which should not be cast aside so quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if Whelan is offered a 1 year extension, again as a squad player with Premier League experience, I'm not his biggest fan but I can see how he can be handy to have around and useful from the bench. I don't think we'll be able to shift Lansbury because of his wages, and I think Smith likes the look of him so likely he will stay until January and then get loaned somewhere if fit but not playing. Elphick, I'm not sure what will happen with him, had a decent run in the team until injury, it will depend on what happens with Tuanzebe and Mings I guess, but I wouldn't be too shocked if he was offered a 1 year deal to stay as cover. Kodjia, I think will stay unless somebody offers us good money, he's a good impact player to have from the bench and can play in any of the three positions up top. Davis, Green and Hepburn-Murphy will be retained but likely loaned out. Other than the rest of the obvious ones that are staying the rest can go for me, I don't think we'll be able to shift some of them because of the wages, so there could be a few loans with subsidised wages again. Are there any kids coming through that might be able to help fill out the squad? I like the look of O'Hare from what I've seen but really don't follow the youth teams very much.

All that matters is if they are good enough, I don't care what league they come from as long as they fit in with the group, the way we play, and are good enough. Obviously value for money is a consideration as well. Any new player will take a little while to adapt, and you have to allow longer for players coming from abroad, so the championship is fair game for me.

I kind of feel like Drinkwater is just Ashley Westwood on higher wages... a no from me.

Wasn't this guy singer in the Spin Doctors as well...

I'm not looking for impediments, I'm being realistic. We can't expect the deal to happen just because he wants to come here, there are a lot of other factors involved in a transfer. It seems we both want him to sign and think he will. Fingers crossed we are both right! I agree with you on another point as well, I also think he's the best defender we've had since Laursen, which is why I hope we pull out all the stops to get him permanently.

I don't see getting a good price for an asset as playing silly buggers, there's nothing malicious from their side, they will sell to us if we meet their price, it's just business. If a Premier League team comes in offering more than we are willing to pay and first team football, he will go to them, yes he wants to come to Villa but he's not going to ruin his career trying to force that. Nor should he. We have the advantage because we know he wants come to us, but that only really helps us if multiple clubs bid the same amount, even then we have to be competitive with the wages we offer him. I want us to sign him as much as anyone, and I think we likely will, but it's not a done deal, it's a complicated situation, this could be done quickly if all parties are willing and a price is agreed quickly or it could rumble on all summer.

Although I'd love to agree football is a business now, and sentiment has very little to do in transfer dealings anymore. Bournemouth will try to get the best price for their asset, they won't care if it's from us or somebody else, their only consideration will be if they are selling to a rival then add a bit more to the price.

Good job I'm not in charge of negotiations then!

That is correct, however as I understand it we didn't agree a fee, the only clause in place is that we are notified if a bid comes in for him and have the opportunity to match that bid. For the record, I think anything under £15m is a bargain, anything over £20m becomes a bit of a risk because of his injury record, but I love him so much I'm not sure how far I'd go get that deal done!

I think the problem is if they ask for £20m say, and we think that's a bit steep, there's another Premier League team will pay it. Everyone in the Premier League has the money, he's in demand, I don't think it's too much of a risk for them to try and squeeze as much out of his transfer as they can, it makes good business sense for them. I want him here as much as anyone but we have to be realistic, they aren't going to hand him over for a knockdown price just because he wants to be here, they are a business and he's an asset they have possession of.

He can make a move happen sure, but Bournemouth know how much we want him and aren't so broke they have to sell. The price is theirs to name and if we don't match it he's not going anywhere. Bournemouth may well see us as a rival, they could also start a bidding war for him to drive up the price, I'm sure there will be plenty of other clubs interested. The ball is in their court because he's contracted to them, they are under no obligation to sell him to us.

With the greatest respect, I don't think they'd be interested in joining us at the moment. They are at good Serie A clubs playing regularly, even if they wanted to come to the Premier League there'd be more established teams they'd put ahead of us. If we got one of them I'd be ecstatic, but I think those kinds of signings are a couple of years down the line if we keep progressing.

£10m would be a steal, it really depends on how much they value him. They signed him for about £12m, I'd think they'd want to make that back, and if they play hard ball they'd probably get more out of us. I'd have to think we'd start considering other options if they start asking for £20m plus... but the market these days is nuts, who know's what we'll end up paying!

I've no doubt we'll sign him for whatever the agreed amount was before the loan. If it's anywhere near £5m that's a bargain. We'll make a huge profit in a year or two when the bigger fish will be looking at him and have ourselves a great player in the meantime.

I agree, we need some continuity, all of these have something to offer as squad players and are part of the spirit we have already created, getting rid of everyone means starting again from scratch in an incredibly difficult league. Also, barring Lansbury they aren't on crazy wages that we need to shift. These guys know the system and the group already, that has value to us right now.

I can't believe he's still going! Puts all the rest of them to shame, no wonder he's captain!

I can certainly see why we'd be looking at him if £6-£10m is the asking price. He fits the profile. Any move would depend on if we get Tuanzebe or Mings on permanent deals and how much they would cost.

He looks a very good player to me, especially for one so young. I'd be interested to see what kind of fee might be mentioned and how much we'd be willing to part with to get him.

Love Belotti, so deadly in so many ways, not sure spaffing our entire budget on him would be the way to go though!