It’s been the busiest January transfer window I can remember – testament to our lack of activity in the summer and position in the table at the turn of the year – so I thought it worth putting a summary together on a day that will inevitably be dominated by Fernando Torres rumours and counter-rumours.

There are still a few deals in the works, we’re expecting:

  • Michael Bradley loan to be completed (that is with a view to turn permanent I’m glad to say – my view on the deal is here). Update 1915: This deal is now complete, details to follow below.
  • Stephen Warnock to join Liverpool on loan.Update 2355: The window has closed, but at this stage it’s unclear whether this deal actually went through.
  • Stephen Ireland to head to Newcastle on loan. Update 2000: This deal is now complete


I’ll update this post with any changes during the day, right up until the window shuts at 11pm GMT. There’s also a persistent rumour about Chris Samba, but that one is filed under “dubious” at this moment.

Ashley Young will not be going anywhere this window.

Updates:

2000: Stephen Ireland has completed his move to Newcastle until the end of the season.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said:

Stephen has shown over the past few seasons that he’s a real top player so we’re really pleased to have got him until the end of the season.

He can create chances for others and score goals himself, and we think he can be a big factor for us in the second part of this season.

I think Stephen feels he can deliver more than he’s shown at Villa so far, so he’s got a point to prove and I believe we can reap the benefits of that.

1915: Michael Bradley has completed his loan move from Borussia Monchengladbach. He’ll be with us until the end of the season with the intent to make the move permanent, but won’t be eligible to play until the work permit and visa have been sorted out.

Bradley had this to say:

Everyone can see that Villa is a big club, a fantastic club, with tradition and great supporters. Over the past few years Villa have made big strides and are trying to challenge at the very top of the Premier League. I am excited to be part of that and I am excited to be here.

In: Permanent

  • Jean Makoun – From Lyon.
  • Darren Bent – From Sunderland.

In: Loan

  • Kyle Walker – From Tottenham until end of season.
  • Michael Bradley – From Borussia Monchengladbach until end of season (option to make permanent).

Out: Permanent

  • James Collins Jnr – Shrewsbury.
  • Steve Sidwell – Fulham.
  • Curtis Davies – Birmingham City.

Out: Loan

  • John Carew – Stoke until end of season.
  • Brad Guzan – Hull until end of February.
  • Jonathan Hogg – Portsmouth until end of season.
  • Shane Lowry – Sheffield Utd until end of season.
  • Andreas Weimann – Watford until end of season.
  • Arsenio Halfhuid – FC Volendam until end of season.
  • Isaiah Osbourne – Sheffield Wednesday until end of season.
  • Stephen Ireland – Newcastle until end of season.

Amazing how many fans expressed a lack of trust in Houllier’s ability in the transfer market before January. I think he’s done a brilliant job bringing in some quality players and moving out high earning deadwood, whilst also securing valuable experience for some of the promising youngsters.

Not sure how to grade him, but I would think an ‘A’ would be in order, he’d get an ‘A+’ if he could bring in a quality left back, but I don’t want to be greedy.

You might also like...

6 Comments to “January transfer round up”

  1. Aussie Villan 31 January 2011 at 2:25 pm #

    the Loan-out’s of those kids will be great, give them first team experience, and hopefully a more well rounded game. As for the signings in, well I think they are all quality. I’m thinking Villa can maybe push for that Europe spot this season, it will be tough but a good run of games and we slide up the table

    Reply
    • Dan 31 January 2011 at 2:40 pm #

      the amazing thing is how close we remain to european qualification. if the cups are won by teams in the top 5 – and i think we rely on arsenal picking up the league cup ;) – then the top 7 will play in europe next year.

      that’s *very* doable, we could qualify 4 seasons running yet.

      the FA Cup remains a path too, although i’d be amazed if we won that.

      Reply
  2. IdahoVillan 31 January 2011 at 7:57 pm #

    Great to see the Bradley deal done. To be honest, I can’t believe the amount of business we did this January. I think this probably highlights the disagreement between MON and Randy. Randy wanted to balance new signings with moving players out (on loan or otherwise). I think we now have a good mix of old and new. Something to build on for the future. I’m really surprised to see so much happen so quickly.

    Houllier’s Magic act:
    Makoun and Walker were great BUT we needed a striker.
    GH pulls a Darren Bent out of his hat — great we are saved.
    BUT we need a solid mid-field player.
    Bradley in the door.
    Yeah great, but what about LB?
    Not that I’m greedy or anything!

    Oh, and for the final act GH will make Ireland disappear…

    Reply
    • Dan 31 January 2011 at 8:28 pm #

      i caught GH earlier saying that he didn’t think that warnock would be going anywhere, but with konchesky moving to forest i’m not convinced he was being entirely honest.

      either way, i don’t think we have anyone new lined up for LB, but i agree that would be a bit greedy.

      Reply
  3. ric 31 January 2011 at 8:52 pm #

    i’d say a- until he moves beye on :)

    Reply
    • Dan 31 January 2011 at 9:04 pm #

      ha, good call. forgot about habib.

      Reply

Leave a Reply