Given would be a dreadful signing for us. At the Euros last summer and at the start of this season for Villa he was a shadow of his former self. He was once the best keeper in the Premier League, but not any more. If the choice is Given or Schwarzer, Jol should tell Schwarzer that he's still number one.
Have to admit I didn't pay much attention to Villa at beginning of the season. If Schwarzer leaves then our options are slim, though.... Lindegaard would be alright, too.
Well there's still the option of "is he coming, or is he going" Sinan Bolat. Young (only 24) and with all the time that has elapsed since we first showed genuine interest, he is now available on a free transfer.
Yup, and left in a sulk. Possibly because at that time Schwarzer was guaranteed the number one spot. And the rumours still go on about the Stekelenburger though. I don't blame Roma for making sure that they have a replacement first but they don't half 'berger' us around. "Roma are reportedly in talks with Fulham to sell Maarten Stekelenburg so they can bring in Rafael or Bolton’s Adam Bogdan. Stekelenburg had already been on the verge of a move to Craven Cottage in January, but the move collapsed when Roma could not sign a replacement in time. The Dutch goalkeeper never entirely convinced at the Olimpico and is expected to leave for around €4.5m. La Gazzetta dello Sport claims director Franco Baldini is in London today to discuss the move with Fulham representatives. His heir is already lined up, as Santos have come forward to confirm they are awaiting offers for 23-year-old shot-stopper Rafael. The Brazilian is not the only option, as calcionews24 insist the Giallorossi are also looking at Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Bogdan, who would be available for €2.8m." Source: http://www.football-italia.net/34750/stek-fulham-rafael-roma Two things strike me about this article. One is that on the face of it it seems good that Baldini is over here but then why would he be for this sale? Can't see that being the reason (Mohammed and the mountain and all that..). The second is why are we not chasing Bogdan?
Who seriously rates Bogdan...i'm shocked Roma do quite honestly. If Stekelenburg doesn't join, i'd sign Schwarzer for another year and sell Stockdale to Hull - i'm sure he wants to join anyways.
If we do not sign some quality,we may become the new Wigan, hovering around the 4 bottom teams next march. Yes i know we cannot compete with the top 5 in the transfer stakes but with the 20mi, for the double Ds,and the monies alocated to premiership sides this season we cannot be short of a few bob.
Baldini is over here because he's joining Spurs as their DOF, apparently. And we're not chasing Bogdan because we don't rate him, I would think!
Stories around that we are interested in U21 Belgian international Laurens De Bock the Brugge left back. please log in to view this image Could be we are looking to add a bit more âbeefâ to our defence to go along with Amore and Boateng ? In February of this year: âDe Bock was sent off with a straight red card in the away game against Racing Genk last Sunday and received a one-game ban. Laurens had already a suspended sentence of one game which dates back from November last year. Laurens De Bock misses out the home game against OH Leuven next Saturday and the away game against his former team Sporting Lokeren. Club Brugge will not appeal against the punishment.â Laurens is valued at around £2.5m and has the same Agent as Bryan.
Hmmmm, he sounds promising - good age, etc - but I think he only joined Brugge in January, for a fee of around the one quoted above. If he's doing well they are probably in a position to ask for a sizeable profit if they have to sell him on this quickly. He'll cost us a lot more than that, which means I suspect we won't be going for him. I've been wrong (many times!) before, of course.
Stecky move is apparently close... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...arten-Stekelenburg--Fulham-close-3m-deal.html Loads of rumours about Darren Bent too.
There are stories coming from Suffolk that we have renewed our interest in ex-Arsenal player Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. please log in to view this image âPremier League Fulham are keen to sign Blues midfielder Jay Emmanuel-Thomas in a swap deal which we understand would involve two of their young players moving in the opposite direction. The 22-year-old, who has a year left on his contract, was made available by Town boss Mick McCarthy at the end of the season. The Cottagers, who were believed to have shown interest in the former Arsenal man last summer, are understood not to be offering any cash for the Londoner but two of their youngsters in a proposed swap deal. Emmanuel-Thomas made 43 starts and 32 substitute appearances, scoring nine goals, after joining the Blues from the Gunners in the summer of 2011 for a fee which ultimately could have reached £2 million.â Source: http://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/23022 The interesting thing about this story, is not that JET is a winger (do we need more?) but that it could involve a player exchange, with two of our youngsters going the other way. Iâve mentioned in a couple of other threads that there will be a âbulgeâ at the U21 level next season and the Club will inevitably have to move some on. Given that the likely players donât have a great deal of experience/exposure, they are unlikely to attract any sizable fee. This alternative, seems to me a good way to be going about business.
One thing to remember about prospective players' positions is that they're not set in stone. Dembele came to us as a wide forward and, well, you know the rest.
Personally I'll be a bit disappointed to see JET leave us, but he's been very underwhelming since he's been here, splitting the fans as he has oudles of class but not the workrate to back it up and is a complete enigma.. though seems to favour playing in 'the hole' behind the striker Strangely he comes across as a player who will suit the Premier league much better than the championship and could be a very decent player for someone. As for the deal, I think we are looking to offload for financial reasons rather than football ones as we need to sell before we can buy... so unless these pair of youngsters are ones we're already looking at or are interested in then I'm not too sure what to make of it.. Out of interest would you have any idea as to who you would be likely to offer ??
I read on Twitter this morning that McCarthy wanted Kacaniklic in exchange. Absolutely no chance of that happening. Straight swap for Frei/Briggs perhaps?
I think you are right Bidley. As well as Alex Smith, other candidates are Alex Brister, Tom Donegan and Josh Pritchard. All of them should do well in the Championship.
Why would Ipswich give up one of their best players in exchange for two players who have no football experience above U18's level? I can see either Trotta or Briggs being involved in the deal, and Frei hardly set the world alight at Cardiff on loan. His value has gone way down this season.
