OK, it’s finally a done deal, full details to follow, but it’s official, Stephen Ireland is an Aston Villa player, James Milner is a Man City player.
Going the other way, Stephen Ireland has also completed his transfer from City to Villa. Ireland spent eight years at City, having come through the ranks as a teenager. He made 142 starts in that time, scoring 23 goals. His best season in a City shirt came in 2008/09, when he was named as
It would appear James Milner’s 24 hour ultimatum has forced some action and it’s currently being reported that he is heading to Manchester for a medical. Presumably he’ll pass Stephen Ireland on the way. Not sure they’ll wave to each other.
As it stands, it sounds like our side of the bargain will be Stephen Ireland plus £16m. What will happen to that money is another question, but I wouldn’t assume it will all go to fund new
Liverpool have reportedly made a £2.5m bid for Luke Young and Martin O’Neill has confirmed the club have received a bid from an unnamed club with Young currently “mulling it over”:-
Martin O’Neill
There has been an offer from a football club, which Luke is mulling over and if it doesn’t materialize then he would also join us [in Portugal] because he needs to play some football soon. We will see how that develops.
My personal opinion is one of slight disappointment,
Despite some early blockbusters, it’s been quite a subdued transfer market overall this summer. Nevertheless, Martin O’Neill managed to match last summer’s influx by bringing in seven new faces, although his hand may have been forced somewhat by the exists of Gareth Barry & Martin Laursen.
Here’s the seven in the order they joined:-
Stewart Downing, 16/07/09, £12m, Middlesbrough
Fabian Delph, 04/08/09, £8m, Leeds
Habib Beye, 07/08/09, £2.5m, Newcastle
Andy Marshall, 12/08/09, Free, N/A
Stephen Warnock, 27/08/09, £8m, Blackburn
James Collins, 01/09/09, £5m, West Ham
Richard Dunne,
It’s been confirmed that Aston Villa have completed the £5m signing of central defender James Collins from West Ham.
It has been confirmed that Aston Villa have signed centre back Richard Dunne from Man City for £6million.
More details to follow.
This is it, the last few hours of the summer transfer window. Have you been obsessed with who is coming in all summer? If so, you shall soon be out of your misery.
As the moment, there are two deals we know are under negotiation and look likely to be completed – Richard Dunne from Citeh and James Collins from West Ham. It’s looks like there’s about £11m worth of business there and both are central defenders… which is nice.
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It has been confirmed that Aston Villa have signed left back Stephen Warnock from Blackburn on a 4 year deal and he’ll wear number 25.
He’s expected to be introduced to the Villa Park crowd during the Rapid Vienna game tonight, just as Brad Friedel was at the Odense game last year.
I’ve updated the transfer page with a fee of 7,000,000 for now – if anything more concrete turns up I’ll amend it 8,000,000.
Positive quotes from the player:-
The manager
Who?!? Relax, he’s 34, was available on a free and is obviously just filling the third choice goal keeper shirt vacated by Stuart Taylor. He has been signed on a one year contract.
Evidently Elliott Parish hasn’t inspired enough confidence should the two Brads become simultaneously unavailable. Marshall has played for Norwich, Ipswich, Millwall and Coventry.
With all due respect, and in the nicest possible way, I hope we don’t have to see you on the pitch, Andy.