09 Jan 2021 23:07:18
David Brooks is on Dean Smith's hit-list this month. Villa also have their eyes on Reading's Michael Olise.
Smith is keen to add younger players to his squad list in the hope of developing their potential still further and has been given the firepower to move in a depressed market.
- all from Neil Moxley, profile certainly fits with recent activity. Interesting both players can play centrally and out wide in attacking areas. Not sure how reliable Moxley has been in recent windows.
10 Jan 2021 08:45:09
Seen the article Chris and I'd definitely take Brooks, he's a player I've mentioned on here before. Coming back from a serious ankle injury similar to McGinn so probably getting back up to speed. Looks a really useful player and fits the profile just what fee he would command. Don't know anything about the other guy only what I've read in the article.
10 Jan 2021 09:16:09
Seems every man and their dog want Olise Moose, I’m the same as you, never seen him play, but the interest in him is a positive sign.
I’d take Brooks all day long.
10 Jan 2021 09:24:09
I have also mentioned Brooks on here before he would be a great addition adding quality and flexibility to the squad in that he can play in a number of positions either centrally or out wide. In terms of fee I can’t see it being less than £25 million and probably a bit more as I am sure a number of other premier league clubs will be interested if Bournemouth decide to sell which no doubt will drive the price up.
10 Jan 2021 09:39:50
Wasn’t 40 million mooted in the Summer?
Might have to break the transfer record again🤦â€â™‚ï¸.
10 Jan 2021 09:48:22
So I’ve done some research, apparently Bournemouth wanted 50 million + in the summer for Brooks, which put off a lot of suiters. With their league position I can imagine this would still be the price, unless they have been hit hard with the current struggles in the world, and need cash.
This bring the question, would you rather get ripped off for Brooks, or pay the reported £25million for Buendia? I like the fact Brooks is British and no doubt a good player, but is he really better than Buendia? Does his game suit us more that Buendias? Tough choice I think.
As for Olise, he’s played 23 games this season, 16 times as a starter, very good record for an 18 year old. The highlights videos look brilliant - as usual, Tonev looked like a Bulgarian Messi on YouTube.
I hope we do do some business this window, often we have nothing attacking wise to come from the bench, to change a game. I know with Wesley, Barkley and Trez back fully fit that will change, however we can’t guarantee everyone to be fully fit all the time, so let’s have more options around.
10 Jan 2021 09:53:44
If King leaves, which is looking likely, we may be able to sweeten any deal with the possibility of sending Davis, possibly on loan, the other way? 🤔.
10 Jan 2021 10:08:59
King has hardly featured for Bournemouth so far this season, if at all. It would appear he wants out, and his contract is up in June.
A bargain to be had there, I think.
I read somewhere Bournemouth were interested in taking Davis on loan Moose, so maybe something could be agreed.
Chris, if the asking price difference between Brooks and Buendia is really 25 million, then surely it’s a no brainer.
There’s only a year difference in their ages, and what exactly can Brooks give us that Buendia can’t?
10 Jan 2021 10:27:57
Having said that I’ve just seen that King played yesterday and scored twice. Also apparently Everton are trying to do a deal for King involving a swap, according to Sky Sports.
10 Jan 2021 10:28:56
It does all come down to price but either would be a great addition, Beundia probably offers more versatility in the midfield areas but Brooks is definitely up there in terms of skill. Win win situation whoever we sign and obviously because of age room for further improvement.
10 Jan 2021 10:35:32
No club will pay £50 million for Brooks as good as he appears to be, that’s totally un realistic and I agree with Mark that you would go with Buendia for £25 million however where I think Norwich will come back up I am not convinced Bournemouth will, so I think it may pay to play the waiting game as I can’t see Brooks being prepared to stay in the championship long term and if that’s the case and the player agitates for a move I am sure the fee will come down.
The other thing to consider is if we do sign Brooks or Olise and given the fact that Ramsey is developing and Smith seems happy to have him on the bench whether we ought to be facilitating a move for Hourihane as at his age he needs to be playing first team football, he has been a good servant to the club but he is dropping down the pecking order bit by bit.
10 Jan 2021 10:56:11
Unfortunately John there's little room for sentiment in football anymore and we'll see players who've been staple squad members for the past few seasons moved on with the minimum amount of fuss but a big thank you as we sign others to take us to the next level. We've also got Elmo and Taylor with their contracts up this year but I don't think we'll be going all out to replace them as some of our promising youth defenders may be drafted in as part of their gradual integration into the squad.
10 Jan 2021 15:05:03
You are probably right Moose but that being the case we probably have no right to moan when the players decide to take whatever actions they see fit to further there careers even when it’s at the expense of the club.
10 Jan 2021 15:50:19
£50m? Surely that must be a mistype! The world has gone mad. Have seen a little of Brooks and he is decent but not at that price.
Would expect us to be looking at value if we’re looking at all.
Olise looks a good shout, one for the future but wouldn’t be in our match day squad. Again it will come down to price/ value. January is notorious for premium values.
10 Jan 2021 16:14:19
Its always happened John always will. The time of someone staying at a club for their career is over, unless you're Gabby just taking the cash at the end. If they do move on the world will still keep turning and Villa will be here long after they've been forgotten.
It's up to us as a club to become that successful they won't want to go anywhere else and therein lies the challenge. I'm confident tho that with our owners we're finally on the right road.