Silly Season (Summer Transfer Window 2009)

[jonahjones]

I normally wait a little while before starting this thread but it seems that, this summer, silly season has started earlier than usual.

No sooner has the transfer window re-opened than two players who were most definitely not leaving their respective clubs for all the tea in China now appear to be on the move!

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...360063,00.html

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...360176,00.html

[MattR]

Doesn't take long to start does it! Can't help thinking that's an awful lot of money to pay for Barry. He's decent but I'm not convinced he's that good.

[jonahjones]

Doesn't take long to start does it! Can't help thinking that's an awful lot of money to pay for Barry. He's decent but I'm not convinced he's that good.

Didn't Villa turn down at least 15 million from Liverpool!?

[jonahjones]

Didn't Villa turn down at least 15 million from Liverpool!?

I didn't realise he hadn't signed a new contract at Villa when he failed to sign for Liverpool last summer.

His contract at Villa was due to expire next summer and so a very good deal for the selling club in my opinion as his head had obviously been turned and it appears that he had no intention of signing a new one.

I agree with you by the way, Matt, decent enough player but 11 million is silly money.

I'm afraid we are going to have to get used to this where Manchester City are concerned.

I fear they are going to come after Lescott. :(

[vegyjones]

Villa were after 18 million last season!

I though Barry going to Liverpool was a cert this summer, but I guess he thinks City's the place to be at! Maybe disappointed with Liverpool's inability to pay Villa's asking price!

Or maybe they've offered him a fortune :D

[John]

I'm probably being cynical here, but the fact that Barry's gone to City for financial luxury and other purple velvetty clauses wouldn't surprise me... then again that probably ain't too far from the truth.

Great player on the ball - yes. 12 million? No. 10 Million? No. 8 Million? Maybe.

[Win2Win]

Barry's not really a toug'un anymore in the footy world, so he's just doing what most of us would do, and get his retirement fund in.

[mathare]

It was obvious Barry would leave Aston Villa at some point this summer so it was only a question of where he went. None of the major European clubs were interested in him so it was going to be Liverpool or Man City realistically.

Expect Man City to 'hijack' more deals this summer too, even if they don't need the players. Man Utd have done this before - sign players they don't really need but it stops other clubs having them.

The curious thing about the Barry deal is he is turning down European football with Villa to go to Man City so there must be some financial sweetener to the deal for the player.

[vegyjones]

The curious thing about the Barry deal is he is turning down European football with Villa to go to Man City so there must be some financial sweetener to the deal for the player.

But wouldn't hit have been even sweeter to wait until his contract finshed and clean up with a few million quid in his pocket from from a signing on fee?

[MattR]

Maybe Vegy, but he'd also have been 29 and what if he didn't have a good season? Guess he thought he'd take it while it was on offer. Let's be honest much as it's easy to sit here and say he's gone there for financial reasons we'd probably all do the same in any other job in the world.

[Win2Win]

Maybe Vegy, but he'd also have been 29 and what if he didn't have a good season? Guess he thought he'd take it while it was on offer. Let's be honest much as it's easy to sit here and say he's gone there for financial reasons we'd probably all do the same in any other job in the world.

Vegy would do it for a pound

[mathare]

Let's be honest much as it's easy to sit here and say he's gone there for financial reasons we'd probably all do the same in any other job in the world.

Absolutely, and I'll happily admit that. Your earning potential as a footballer is limited by the length of your career, and in the top flight you're spent by 35 and the big money doesn't come in till you're early to mid 20s really. So you have less than 15 years to make as much as you can and set you up for life. I'd be chasing every penny I could too if I were a professional footballer.

[vegyjones]

Let's be honest much as it's easy to sit here and say he's gone there for financial reasons we'd probably all do the same in any other job in the world.

But in most other jobs more money probably means a better position, and or higher rank,

That is not (necessarily) the case in football.

[TheOldhamWhisper]

...
I fear they are going to come after Lescott. :(

No worries there - although he does score goals...

Gareth Barry is probably the nearest thing that City have to a holding player - the big concern is that the current back 4 will probably see that as an invitation to play just behind the front 5

[mathare]

Wasn't Kompany brought in for the holding role?

Hamman does a great job in that role, or rather did as he's probably past it now.

[MattR]

Yeah I think so. So was that De Jong as well wasn't he? Not that he looked up to much for 16m from what I saw of him.

[vegyjones]

Kaka 56 million anyone! What Credit Crunch?

[yerotsluap]

or 73 million to chelsea as sky are now saying

[scoobydoo]

It's over to you then madrid!

[piggy]

milan are just using chelsea to up the price, if you believe all the rumours chelsea are after just about every player in the world :D
the word around chelsea is that we are after alonso, bibery and villa but carvalho has hinted that he wants away so we might be in the market for a center back and maybe a left back as cover for cole, a few fringe players will be leaving this summer but my personal opinion is cash in on anelka now while we can still get good money for him as he's not a team player and never has been.

[Win2Win]

I didn't think Anelka had ever been a player!

[peza2605]

united are going to bid for torres so it says in the daily express (yes of course they are ) would be hilarious tho.

[jonahjones]

united are going to bid for torres so it says in the daily express (yes of course they are ) would be hilarious tho.

Is that a FACT?! :D

[lowe1]

Leyton Orient have just got a bargain

Ben Chorley (CB) from the Tranmere , signed on a free wanted to be nearer his family in London

Was our second best player last season behind Antony Kay , exellent defender and will be a great addition for you

[jonahjones]

Leyton Orient have just got a bargain

Ben Chorley (CB) from the Tranmere , signed on a free wanted to be nearer his family in London

Was our second best player last season behind Antony Kay , exellent defender and will be a great addition for you

Was Chorley well-liked by the fans Tony?

I went to watch you at home to Bristol Rovers last season and he was getting slated by the elder statesmen around me in the Main Stand, however, they did all remind me of Waldorf and Sadler. :)

[jonahjones]

Blackburn Rovers have signed Danish international Lars Jacobsen who spent last season on loan at Everton from German side Nurnberg. Are you sure we couldn't interest you in Tony Hibbert instead Sam?!

Wolves will tomorrow announce the signing of striker Kevin Doyle from Reading for around £6million.

Strong rumours also that Manchester United are close to signing Antonio Valencia from Wigan for circa £16million.

[jonahjones]

Strong rumours also that Manchester United are close to signing Antonio Valencia from Wigan for circa £16million.

It is now a done deal.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...408310,00.html

[peza2605]

blimey, someone signed for united without it dragging out all summer, whats the world coming to. wimbledon will have a roof next....

[jonahjones]

wimbledon will have a roof next....

That will be to stop them from playing the long-ball game Pez. :)

[MattR]

Brilliant.