Young IS NOT FOR SALE + Other Transfer Talk

LOL… you’ve got to laugh, the other day Martin O’Neill sought to dismiss reports that Villa were going to sell England winger Ashley Young saying ‘No-one has come in and asked us about Ashley Young and I have got to tell you, if they did they would get short shrift.‘

In a rather more grown-up mode, I added at the bottom of my report, ‘Lets do this the mature way… silence in the court yard, silence in the street, the biggest (press) twit nit is just about to speak… That should work.. guaranteed!’ Having already asked, which paper will be the first to come out with yet another ‘Young to leave Villa’ headline! (MON Bored Of Young Stories)

Well, it seems the biggest twits are in the News of the World and The Times if you believe their reports today!

Chris Bascombe of The News Of The World claims that Liverpool will do ‘battle’ for 24-year-old Ashley Young claiming that Rafa Benitez is set to bid £20million for him.

I must admit I do fear interest from clubs who have Champions League to offer BUT £20million? NO CHANCE!

The report also claims that Villa have put a £30million price tag on Ash. I don’t recall seeing that, just quotes that the player isn’t for sale?!? Ash has around 4 years on his current contract as well, so it isn’t as if, unlike the Gareth Barry sale the player is anywhere near being able to leave for a free.

There seems little to no substance in that report at all.

Wayne Veysey of The Times goes one further and claims we’ve already turned down a bid, this reportedly being £18million from Appy Arry at Spurs.

The report says that Ash is ‘Arry’s number one target and claims that Young, who was born in Stevenage, would like to return South and has told ‘friends’ he’d love to go to Spurs… cough cough.

Wonder at what price the pounds are too good to turn down and the player would be allowed to leave? Can’t be under £30million surely but at a certain price, having bought him for just under £10million from Watford, there surely has to be a point where a sale would be too good to turn down? I would think the major factor would be IF Ash actually indicates he wants to move. I can’t see that he’d want to jump to Spurs as we do at least have Europe this year…. if we take it seriously (not being a bitch, just the question is open on how seriously we’ll take any cup competition this season after the last few years capitulations).

We asked on the 6 June At What Price Would You Sell Ashley Young?

No price, would not sell 54%
£15million 18%
£40million 14%
£30million 10%
£20million 4%

Meanwhile new signing Stewart Downing got reassurances from Martin O’Neill before moving from Middlesbrough that Villa will be building the squad, not selling stars.

Downing said: ‘He said the likes of Ashley Young will not be leaving because he is trying to build a squad, not dismantle one. That was great news for me and that’s what made me sign really. I’ve known Ashley for quite a few years, I’ve seen him come here from Watford and he’s done really well. There’s no rivalry. I might play on the left, him on the right, it might be the other way around. He might play up front, I might play up front. You need options, you have 60 odd games to play over the season.’

So, once again, Ashley Young is not for sale…!

The rest of the transfer talk is basically just repeats. Bolton after Zat Knight + Villa and Inter Milan after Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas etc… getting bored of the same links now to be honest!

In other news, Chelsea and Spurs might make a move for David Beckham but I bet he goes back to AC Milan.

Everton, according to the News of the World have put a £30m price tag on defender Joleon Lescott who was linked to Villa but is now apparently subject to bids from Manchester City.

Spurs have joined Sunderland and Fulham in bidding for Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch also according to the News of the World and the Mail On Sunday say Spurs are closing in on Real Madrid striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar IF the player turns down an £18m move to Stuttgart.

Only mentioning those players as they have all been linked to Villa at some stage!

By JP Fear