Villa Boss On Signings & Transfer Gossip

Martin O'Neill has obviously been asked about transfers more times than Mr Ask A Lot About Transfers at Transfersville in Transferland.

The latest is he has spoken to Randy Lerner and he is ready to get going. Hopefully this summer REALLY will see the activity we all hoped and prayed for last summer. To be fair he has now had loads of time to settle in, get a feel for what we have, to offload what he doesn't want and assess where we are going. He is certainly no idiot and must know that to push on now, we need players - quality players - and a good number of them.

The Daily Mirror claim that MON has told Randy that he'll need around £80million in order to challenge Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United next season. £80m, 7-10 players, sounds about right doesn't it?

He said: 'I’ve had a conversation with the chairman in the early part of this week and we’ve decided that we want to get things up and running. I haven’t gone out and actively pursued targets but we are scouting players all over Europe. For us to challenge, we need to address a number of things - including the size of the squad for a start.'

Adding, 'I’ve been delighted with the players here and what they’ve achieved this season. It has been a tremendous effort by everyone to get us to where we are with three games to go. But if we are going to sustain a big campaign next season - possibly including Europe and hopefully having runs in the domestic cup competitions - then we will need a bigger squad.'

He also admits we have had our fair share of luck with a lack of injuries this season and the early cup exits also meant we weren't stretched in the league. 'I think we can get more competition for places and that, with a bit of real quality, is our aim and something we have a real drive and determination to achieve.'

Today's gossip again links us to Liverpool striker Peter Crouch. Benfica's right-back Nelson is coming according to the Daily Star. Villa and Newcastle apparently both want Steve Sidwell but the Chelsea midfielder is keen to stay at Stamford Bridge and prove his worth.

The Independent claim Spurs £5million target, Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni is also wanted by Villa.

My aunties neighbours cat was sick the other day. The sick formed into words saying Villa will sign Ronaldo this summer. WHAT? It is as likely as the paper links isn't it? In fact in some cases cat puke is far more reliable than the paper gossip?!

The Barry talk continues, some say he is 50/50 on going or staying. Time will tell, with the Liverpool boardroom situation looking to be resolved in the coming weeks, there could be more mileage in this.

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