Here’s our attempt to cut through the transfer deadline day BS.

A few reports have said Paul Lambert has been in meetings all morning (pretty obvious really) trying to sort last minute deals, so the results should be known in the next few hours, rather than too late tonight. We will update this page, when he hear more.

First-up…

What’s Certain

Ron Vlaar

Looks like he’s staying put 100%.

“He’s captain of the club, we’ve not had a call, nothing at all, no one will be leaving anywhere,” says Villa boss Paul Lambert.

Vlaar’s agent also echoes the sentiment:

“There is no truth in any of the rumours. He still has a contract with Villa for one year so he will stay there,” said Arnold Oosterveer. “There is nothing happening with him today.”

Karim El Ahmadi

Lives in Holland now. He’s re-joined Feynoord on a three-year contract, which we discussed earlier here

Dead in the Water

Tom Cleverley

The stalling point seems to be wages. Tom Cleverley is currently on wages of around £30,000. The newspapers report his agent is trying to get him wages of £60,000 (Villa would never pay that). I don’t believe those reports for one second and that Cleverley would expect wages at that level. He hasn’t actually done anything for over a season. With Roberto Martinez also an admirer of Cleverley, Everton could be in the mix or the United player could hold out to be a free agent at the end of the season. MOMS look at Cleverley

Update: A last minute loan bid for Cleverley was filed before the 11pm deadline. Villa are waiting for the Premier League to ratify and say all ok. Loan will be til January, if it happens. Try before you buy?

Sergio Canales

Real Sociedad’s 23-year-old attacking midfielder Sergio Canales is a surprise name to appear as a target for Lambert. The fee is expected to be similar to the amount paid for Carlos Sanchez of around £4 million.  Lambert may have other midfield targets up his sleeve too.

 

 

Canales once held great promise but hasn’t quite kicked-on to levels that his potential first suggested. A gamble certainly worth taking though as he possesses the creativity that could really help Villa if he clicks. Is he too lightweight for the Premier League? That maybe a doubt, but if he works out, there’s no doubt he’ll dramatically increase in value, with a potential decent sell-on fee in the future.

Update: Looks like the newspapers got too excited about this one, if it was ever possible.

Sergio Canales Video

Warning: Youtube can make any player look good – see Tonev, Helenius, El Ahmadi

 

 

While  the much-troubled Villa midfield needs some extra dimension, the only thing that it’s likely to get is tumble weed rolling through it. UTV

 

 

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Thought Canales was going to be the usual deadline day bolt from the blue. Though it was denied pretty quickly in the spanish press.

    Cleverley is more interesting, seemingly Everton gazumped us both on wages and fee, but then tried to renegotiate the fee prior to signing and Man Utd rightly balked. Or it has been reported as such.

    Overall since some of the signings including Keane have shown me up, I am pleased with Lambert and Lerner’s work this window. Keeping Vlaar was a huge relief.

    IMHO Mr CEO needs to step up to the new role now with contracts for him and others.

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