The incredible Xabi Alonso thread 2009.

[Mors]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=33578.msg870849#msg870849 date=1242772983]
From the Mirror:

Aston Villa are offering Gareth Barry a huge new deal in a final attempt to keep him out of Liverpool's clutches.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is willing to sanction England midfielder Barry, 28, getting a whopping £80,000-a-week to stay.

The star has one year left on his contract at Villa Park and had been widely expected to move to Liverpool this summer.

But O'Neill hopes the proposed new deal, plus the lure of regular first team football, the captaincy and offer of a testimonial, will tempt Barry to stay.

Liverpool, who failed with four bids for Barry last summer, remain interested in the left-footed maestro, who has 29 caps.


But Villa have once again shown their determination to retain their prized asset by offering to break their wage structure in a bid to keep him.

Villa's England prospect Ashley Young is the club's current highest earner on £56,000-a-week.

Yet Villa are willing to top that with an offer to Barry which reflects what he could have earned had he moved to Anfield last summer.

Villa officials are now hopeful Barry may extend his stay in the West Midlands since making his debut in 1998.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/20/aston-villa-s-huge-deal-for-gareth-barry-to-keep-him-from-liverpool-115875-21373128/
[/quote]

Ha. Poor the Villa. Trying to bribe him with 80k instead of champions league football.

If he stays another season, his career is as good as over and he'll never have done anything. Not that I'm advocating the fucker coming anywhere near our club.

 

[KopPoNok]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

If he insist on fine-tuning rather than over-hauling our squad, he won't sell Alonso.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Mors link=topic=33578.msg870915#msg870915 date=1242799094]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=33578.msg870849#msg870849 date=1242772983]
From the Mirror:

Aston Villa are offering Gareth Barry a huge new deal in a final attempt to keep him out of Liverpool's clutches.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is willing to sanction England midfielder Barry, 28, getting a whopping £80,000-a-week to stay.

The star has one year left on his contract at Villa Park and had been widely expected to move to Liverpool this summer.

But O'Neill hopes the proposed new deal, plus the lure of regular first team football, the captaincy and offer of a testimonial, will tempt Barry to stay.

Liverpool, who failed with four bids for Barry last summer, remain interested in the left-footed maestro, who has 29 caps.


But Villa have once again shown their determination to retain their prized asset by offering to break their wage structure in a bid to keep him.

Villa's England prospect Ashley Young is the club's current highest earner on £56,000-a-week.

Yet Villa are willing to top that with an offer to Barry which reflects what he could have earned had he moved to Anfield last summer.

Villa officials are now hopeful Barry may extend his stay in the West Midlands since making his debut in 1998.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/20/aston-villa-s-huge-deal-for-gareth-barry-to-keep-him-from-liverpool-115875-21373128/
[/quote]

Ha. Poor the Villa. Trying to bribe him with 80k instead of champions league football.

If he stays another season, his career is as good as over and he'll never have done anything. Not that I'm advocating the fucker coming anywhere near our club.
[/quote]

If he is happy enough at Villa then I think he will take that, I think money is a big factor for him.


As for Rafa's comments, have people forgot that his comments from 24 hours before Robbie Keane was sold?

 

[Glock21]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg870918#msg870918 date=1242799686]
[quote author=Mors link=topic=33578.msg870915#msg870915 date=1242799094]
[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=33578.msg870849#msg870849 date=1242772983]
From the Mirror:

Aston Villa are offering Gareth Barry a huge new deal in a final attempt to keep him out of Liverpool's clutches.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill is willing to sanction England midfielder Barry, 28, getting a whopping £80,000-a-week to stay.

The star has one year left on his contract at Villa Park and had been widely expected to move to Liverpool this summer.

But O'Neill hopes the proposed new deal, plus the lure of regular first team football, the captaincy and offer of a testimonial, will tempt Barry to stay.

Liverpool, who failed with four bids for Barry last summer, remain interested in the left-footed maestro, who has 29 caps.


But Villa have once again shown their determination to retain their prized asset by offering to break their wage structure in a bid to keep him.

Villa's England prospect Ashley Young is the club's current highest earner on £56,000-a-week.

Yet Villa are willing to top that with an offer to Barry which reflects what he could have earned had he moved to Anfield last summer.

Villa officials are now hopeful Barry may extend his stay in the West Midlands since making his debut in 1998.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/05/20/aston-villa-s-huge-deal-for-gareth-barry-to-keep-him-from-liverpool-115875-21373128/
[/quote]

Ha. Poor the Villa. Trying to bribe him with 80k instead of champions league football.

If he stays another season, his career is as good as over and he'll never have done anything. Not that I'm advocating the fucker coming anywhere near our club.
[/quote]

If he is happy enough at Villa then I think he will take that, I think money is a big factor for him.


As for Rafa's comments, have people forgot that his comments from 24 hours before Robbie Keane was sold?
[/quote]

He had to keep his mouth shut at that time and he did a good job. You can't expect him to tell the whole world Keane is for sale do you? After all the agreement to sell him back to Spurs was made just a couple of days before he was sold.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

My point Glock, was that it doesn't matter if he says yay or nay, he will do what he wants and he isn't going to show his cards before he has to. I am well aware of why he denied his sale thank you.

 

[Rosco]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.

 

[Glock21]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg870936#msg870936 date=1242802521]
My point Glock, was that it doesn't matter if he says yay or nay, he will do what he wants and he isn't going to show his cards before he has to. I am well aware of why he denied his sale thank you.
[/quote]

Good boy.

 

[Avmenon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

That's true, but I actually think Rafa means it this time.

Xabi's been phenomenal this season;and there's no guarantee that Barry would slot in as well as a replacement.

So I think that the financial benefits of selling Xabi to buy Barry don't make sense now.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Glock link=topic=33578.msg870942#msg870942 date=1242802815]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg870936#msg870936 date=1242802521]
My point Glock, was that it doesn't matter if he says yay or nay, he will do what he wants and he isn't going to show his cards before he has to. I am well aware of why he denied his sale thank you.
[/quote]

Good boy.
[/quote]

*Sigh*
*Nips out to the shed....*
*Comes back with shovel, hits Glock over the head with it and then files it under D.S.A.F*

 

[rage]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

30 million euros is what 25 million. lose 10 million of that for barry and we have 15 million pounds. - i'd rather we sell lucas, doseena, babel, voronin etc to pay for barry and still have about 5 million left. alonso isn't worth losing for 10 million.

amazing what a difference a season makes - last year rafa tried flogging him to some backwater in turkey, this year he's on madrid's list

 

[Glock21]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg870954#msg870954 date=1242803522]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=33578.msg870942#msg870942 date=1242802815]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg870936#msg870936 date=1242802521]
My point Glock, was that it doesn't matter if he says yay or nay, he will do what he wants and he isn't going to show his cards before he has to. I am well aware of why he denied his sale thank you.
[/quote]

Good boy.
[/quote]

*Sigh*
*Nips out to the shed....*
*Comes back with shovel, hits Glock over the head with it and then files it under D.S.A.F*
[/quote]

*Saw a spoil kid with a shovel in his hand, put a Kevlar Helmet on*

*Slap the kid twice and tell him to go back home and watch cartoon*

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870937#msg870937 date=1242802684]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.
[/quote]

If I were Rafa4PM I'd be pressing 'Report to Moderator' right now.

 

[Mors]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870937#msg870937 date=1242802684]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.
[/quote]

*Blinks*
*Re-reads post*
*Blinks*


*Walks away shaking head*

 

[foureyes]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

hehe.

 

[gkmacca]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Glock link=topic=33578.msg870942#msg870942 date=1242802815]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg870936#msg870936 date=1242802521]
My point Glock, was that it doesn't matter if he says yay or nay, he will do what he wants and he isn't going to show his cards before he has to. I am well aware of why he denied his sale thank you.
[/quote]

Good boy.
[/quote]

 

[Mors]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=gkmacca link=topic=33578.msg871084#msg871084 date=1242811484]
[quote author=Glock link=topic=33578.msg870942#msg870942 date=1242802815]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg870936#msg870936 date=1242802521]
My point Glock, was that it doesn't matter if he says yay or nay, he will do what he wants and he isn't going to show his cards before he has to. I am well aware of why he denied his sale thank you.
[/quote]

Good boy.
[/quote]

[/quote]


SHE KEEPS POPPING UP ALL OVER MY SCREEN!! WTF WTF WTF

 

[gkmacca]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

She only appears when Glock's been a naughty boy. If he stays really quiet, she'll go.

 

[St.Benitez]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg870968#msg870968 date=1242804968]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870937#msg870937 date=1242802684]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.
[/quote]

If I were Rafa4PM I'd be pressing 'Report to Moderator' right now.
[/quote]

If i were Rafa4pm I'd be wondering why Rosco is acting like a very angry version of Rage.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=St.Benitez link=topic=33578.msg871125#msg871125 date=1242813730]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg870968#msg870968 date=1242804968]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870937#msg870937 date=1242802684]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.
[/quote]

If I were Rafa4PM I'd be pressing 'Report to Moderator' right now.
[/quote]

If i were Rafa4pm I'd be wondering why Rosco is acting like a very angry version of Rage.
[/quote]

Oh for crying out loud this is getting tiresome. Look, everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) knows it's you rafa4pm, you haven't been kicked despite this, so just drop the act and don't be a 'mong' this time.

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg871157#msg871157 date=1242814901]
[quote author=St.Benitez link=topic=33578.msg871125#msg871125 date=1242813730]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg870968#msg870968 date=1242804968]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870937#msg870937 date=1242802684]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.
[/quote]

If I were Rafa4PM I'd be pressing 'Report to Moderator' right now.
[/quote]

If i were Rafa4pm I'd be wondering why Rosco is acting like a very angry version of Rage.
[/quote]

Oh for crying out loud this is getting tiresome. Look, everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) knows it's you rafa4pm, you haven't been kicked despite this, so just drop the act and don't be a 'mong' this time.
[/quote]

Why are you and Stu so offended by Rafa's charade? Everyone knows, and 'St. Benitez' knows everyone knows, in fact, he clearly wanted everybody to know.

 

[St.Benitez]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg871159#msg871159 date=1242815054]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg871157#msg871157 date=1242814901]
[quote author=St.Benitez link=topic=33578.msg871125#msg871125 date=1242813730]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg870968#msg870968 date=1242804968]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870937#msg870937 date=1242802684]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.
[/quote]

If I were Rafa4PM I'd be pressing 'Report to Moderator' right now.
[/quote]

If i were Rafa4pm I'd be wondering why Rosco is acting like a very angry version of Rage.
[/quote]

Oh for crying out loud this is getting tiresome. Look, everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) knows it's you rafa4pm, you haven't been kicked despite this, so just drop the act and don't be a 'mong' this time.
[/quote]

Why are you and Stu so offended by Rafa's charade? Everyone knows, and 'St. Benitez' knows everyone knows, in fact, he clearly wanted everybody to know.



[/quote]

I'd like to answer that, but i can't be arsed to go through the process of setting up a fourth account.

 

[Fallon]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Because Mac, this is something like the 5th thread where this back and forth 'I'm not rafa' crap is going on, it's boring.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=foureyes link=topic=33578.msg870994#msg870994 date=1242807527]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

hehe.
[/quote]

Let's hope it doesn't turn sour and leave a bad taste in Ryan's mouth.

 

[foureyes]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=Sheik Yerbouti link=topic=33578.msg871188#msg871188 date=1242816517]
[quote author=foureyes link=topic=33578.msg870994#msg870994 date=1242807527]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

hehe.
[/quote]

Let's hope it doesn't turn sour and leave a bad taste in Ryan's mouth.
[/quote]

I wouldn't bet against it, Sheikhy. I just thought Brendan's comment was funny.

 

[the count]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Xabi Alonso: no pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid


Some incorrect reports have emerged elsewhere suggesting that a deal has already been done to take Xabi Alonso to the Bernabeu...

One of our readers has asked: "Guillem, can you shed anymore light on the rumours surrounding Xabi Alonso and the reports that he has already struck a deal with Madrid."

I`m very glad you have asked that question actually, because it is very important as far as Xabi Alonso is concerned that the truth is known. As I have previously reported here: yes, it is true that Alonso is a target for Florentino Perez – the favourite candidate to win this summer`s elections at the Bernabeu – and yes, it is also true that Alonso has a price.


However, contrary to some reports that have surfaced recently, Xabi Alonso has not signed a pre-contract agreement with Florentino Perez – nor has he reached any kind of deal with the candidate. Nor have Alonso`s representatives held talks with Rafa Benitez to discuss a move. Any talk of a deal being done comes very much from the Florentino Perez camp, but at this moment in time, this talk has not manifest itself in action.

 

[doctor_mac]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=St.Benitez link=topic=33578.msg871161#msg871161 date=1242815236]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg871159#msg871159 date=1242815054]
[quote author=Fallon link=topic=33578.msg871157#msg871157 date=1242814901]
[quote author=St.Benitez link=topic=33578.msg871125#msg871125 date=1242813730]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=33578.msg870968#msg870968 date=1242804968]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870937#msg870937 date=1242802684]
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=33578.msg870868#msg870868 date=1242780013]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=33578.msg870840#msg870840 date=1242771070]
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=33578.msg869635#msg869635 date=1242649517]
Saucer of milk for Ryan's table!
[/quote]

Indeed.

I can see him being reminded of this comment at some stage during the summer.
[/quote]

Fair enough.

And if Alonso doesn't leave, will you retract your completely unsubstantiated 'Rafa's a cunt' attack from a month or so ago?
[/quote]

No.

Rafa is a cunt.
[/quote]

If I were Rafa4PM I'd be pressing 'Report to Moderator' right now.
[/quote]

If i were Rafa4pm I'd be wondering why Rosco is acting like a very angry version of Rage.
[/quote]

Oh for crying out loud this is getting tiresome. Look, everybody (and I mean EVERYBODY) knows it's you rafa4pm, you haven't been kicked despite this, so just drop the act and don't be a 'mong' this time.
[/quote]

Why are you and Stu so offended by Rafa's charade? Everyone knows, and 'St. Benitez' knows everyone knows, in fact, he clearly wanted everybody to know.



[/quote]

I'd like to answer that, but i can't be arsed to go through the process of setting up a fourth account.
[/quote]

haha

 

[singlerider]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

So . . . if we're not selling Xabi, but we are still interested in buying Barry, then what the fuck is that about?

Er, hello? Priorities?

You can't whinge about not having enough money and then spunk what is likely to be a very large fee on someone who is vying for position with Xabi, Mascher and Stevie (although I'll admit, perhaps Stevie should no longer be considered CM, so perhaps that makes a little more sense).

Either way, we need to blow loads of money on a bloody good winger, as we have done since before time began(ish)* - these reports really make me wonder what the fuck is going on

* here ish is used to denote BR - Before Rafa

 

[Frogfish]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=singlerider link=topic=33578.msg871365#msg871365 date=1242828852]
So . . . if we're not selling Xabi, but we are still interested in buying Barry, then what the fuck is that about?

Er, hello? Priorities?

You can't whinge about not having enough money and then spunk what is likely to be a very large fee on someone who is vying for position with Xabi, Mascher and Stevie (although I'll admit, perhaps Stevie should no longer be considered CM, so perhaps that makes a little more sense).

Either way, we need to blow loads of money on a bloody good winger, as we have done since before time began(ish)* - these reports really make me wonder what the fuck is going on

* here ish is used to denote BR - Before Rafa
[/quote]

Barry is a damn good player who will cover a number of positions (LW, LB, DM, CM) instead of weakening us too much if one of the players in those positions is out. He will not cost loads of money (8M perhaps) and will be ahead of Lucas - which will keep Brendan quiet. For that last point alone he is worth the 8M.

 

[singlerider]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

Oh, is he right at the end of his contract or something? I thought he was gonna be loadsamoney?

If he's reasonable, then I don't mind, but I do worry he's being seen as not just a CM that can play in other positions, but as a player who can play CM as well as other positions.

I don't mind seeing him at LM/LB if we've got injuries and are in a pickle, but please God don't let him be seen as a solution there

 

[Frogfish]

Re: Xabi Alonso will stay at Anfield, says Rafa Benitez

[quote author=singlerider link=topic=33578.msg871373#msg871373 date=1242829437]
Oh, is he right at the end of his contract or something? I thought he was gonna be loadsamoney?

If he's reasonable, then I don't mind, but I do worry he's being seen as not just a CM that can play in other positions, but as a player who can play CM as well as other positions.

I don't mind seeing him at LM/LB if we've got injuries and are in a pickle, but please God don't let him be seen as a solution there
[/quote]

I feel very confident we are in for a wide player - Ballague said we made two offers on Silva in January (or last Summer, can't remember which). Seems certain to be Barry (last year of his contract) + a winger / AM.