Rumour mill: Transfer countdown

August 30, 2005

MANCHESTER City will work right up until the deadline closes to bring players into the club despite a succession of frustrating knock-backs.

The Blues thought they had done enough to lure Steed Malbranque to the club with a £5million bid only to see that turned down, and later Stelios Giannakopoulos signed a new deal with Bolton rather than come to City.

However, boss Stuart Pearce is still working overtime in order to add to his high-flying squad.

He has still not completely given up on Malbranque, and he may consider bringing Chelsea midfielder Geremi to the club on a year's loan.

Other rumours doing the rounds include a late offer for Didi Hamann from Liverpool, and even an audacious bid for Italy international Alessandro Del Piero from Juventus.

Who should City go for? Have your say.

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ollie, cheadle (30/08/2005 at 12:44)

The have finnaly got a transfer story and partly from what we have heard! The Hammann rumour is rubbish though. Malbranque rumour could still be true.

Lee, Manchester (30/08/2005 at 12:45)

We've had 6 weeks since SWP left, and yet it's all come down to the last couple of days and anything that is done now will be in a rush. How on earth did City let this happen - cue the excuse on Thursday that we tried and failed, and "Won't pay over the odds" etc etc.

The first 11 we can currently field make a half decent side, though we have yet to play anybody decent, but once Barton and Reyna get injured or suspended we are down to the bare bones, and do not have any creative player in midfield.

I do fear for us going into the next 4 months with our threadbare squad. The question remains did we ever intend to purchase any players or was the SWP money always going to be trousered by the Board and the bank? I sincerely doubt anybody will be arriving in the next 36 hours - I hope City prove me wrong.

Eternal pessimist, manchester (30/08/2005 at 12:47)

Another non story from the MEN. Its absolutely incredible that we are now 2 days from the deadline and still no nearer signing anybody. We are showing such inexperience in the tfr market. Nobody asked Malbranque's agent would he be interested in coming to us. Despite the fact he said "non", Pearce still thinks he can get him ?????Then Stelios used us to get an extra B#10k a week from Bolton. How many other speculative bids / knockbacks will we put in this week. I dont blame SP...he doesnt have the experience so he should be simply advising the board who he wants, who should then negotiate. But I can't see Mackintosh sorting any deals out. This is the guy who has been looking for investment for 18months, and has come back will plenty of airmiles and stamps in his passport, but no dosh !! This guy is a clown, and makes the adminstation of the club distictly second rate.

Mike, Stockport (30/08/2005 at 12:50)

I'll lose no sleep if we don't acquire anyone. Buying players for buying's sake did for Keegan, and if you can't make what you've got better, then keep your hands in your pocket. Managers and coaches are paid to manage and coach, and that's what Pearce and Wigley and Fazackerley - and every other Premiership manager and coach - will now have to do.

Blue Mood, Arkham Asylum (30/08/2005 at 12:52)

I'd love Del Piero to come but he won't!! I'd love Geremi to come but he probably won't. What about Lovenkrands at Rangers? They apparently want rid and he is a good left winger. Maybe Musampa could then shift into the centre ('cos he ain't a left winger!!).

adam, withington (30/08/2005 at 12:53)

another bid for malbranque is surely not a bad idea, del peiro? no chance

Jimmy, Swindon (30/08/2005 at 12:54)

Haman no; Del Pierro Yes. What about David Bentley!!

Bluesox, 2nd in the Premiership (30/08/2005 at 12:59)

While I'm sure that SP has been endevouring behind the scenes to bring in some faces, out in the open here, things are getting quite frustrating. I think if we don't bring anyone in then all this behind the scenes stuff will have been in vain, so it may as well have been out in the open and given us fans some hope! However I still have the feeling that SP is going to pull some rabbits out the hat (if the board manage to authorise it in time, as a number of missed targets this summer have been due to the board taking too long). I think it will be a name a lot of people haven't thought of such as Ono from Feyenoord. A lot of SP's work this summer has been watching and evaluating targets for January and next summer, even players who have just signed for new clubs this time round. Have faith.

DUNCAN, MONTON (30/08/2005 at 13:02)

Both Malbranque and Geremi would be great signings as they would add creativity and cover both central and wide positions. Up front SP is obviously looking for height to add something different, Ameobi would be a decent signing and not break the bank. He is young,Quick, skillfull and probably available now there about to sign Owen.If not then I'll put up with Shevchenko

Jason, Heywood (30/08/2005 at 13:06)

Del Peiro?? Please, these rumours are embarrassing!! (i'm hoping to be eating my words come midnight wednesday!!)

Dan Boi, Isle Of wight (30/08/2005 at 13:07)

Bring in Del Peiro and a midfielder with some experience

Mat, Bredbury (30/08/2005 at 13:08)

Any players who come in now are likely to be squad players (not in starting 11 regularly) as no team will let a first team player go unless it is a ridiculous offer. Would still like to see Malbranque come in,wy not test the water with B#6-B#6.5 millin bid.Hamman would be a good signing,covering defence and allowing Barton or Reyna to make forward runs more,also good at free-kicks.Geremi again not a bad option on season loan,right sided midfielder who can play centrally too. think the Del Piero rumour is pure fantasy. Its all well and good rumours doing the round, keeps us fans interested, but at the end of the day no-one knows who SP has put/will put bids in for except him and the Chairman,and I would rather any deals were kept quiet until completed than some club beat us to a signature!

Blue Peter, Sutton Coldfield (30/08/2005 at 13:14)

The fact that SP hasn't brought anybody in thusfar is more a reflection on his refusal to accept 'has beens' and second raters rather than not being able to tempt players to our club. Hope we get Malbranque though he is quality.

Andrew, Brentford (30/08/2005 at 13:19)

Go back for Steed.

paul bennett, sale (30/08/2005 at 13:27)

what a joke we are.We lose 3 of our best players from last year and we dont replace them.we are flattered by our current league position.If we do not get 3 players in by the deadline i guarentee we will finish in the bottom 6.it is so obvious we need a creative midfielder and a powerful forward.

The Blue Milkman, Macclesfield (30/08/2005 at 13:41)

No need to go mad but we need 1 more central mf player.
If Barton or Reyna out there is just no one to bring in with experience -other positions have some cover even if not that great
Wouldnt worry about right side at moment sunji, trev o.k and give crofty a decent go before buying

Shipley Blue, Shipley (30/08/2005 at 13:43)

I've always realised that blues are moaners, but guys please.
We always new we had the basis of a good side,it just wasn't being managed adequatelye. I always believed that SP would turn this team around. Yes we do need a creative midfielder, but we certainly aren't going to fall to pieces if we don't get one in come Wednesday night. Yes, we will meet better opposition, but from what I've seen so far this season, not much better!!! Stop moaning & start looking at the positives.
By the way, following on from some comments below, please give me the proof that this club is being poorly administered! After the last twenty/thirty years debacle, I think you have poor memories! Get a grip, get real & enjoy the moment. I wonder how many of you will be moaning when we beat that other lot in a couple of weeks time!

Guy Debord, Hulme (30/08/2005 at 13:44)

SP suggested last Friday that he was hoping to get '3 or 4 before the deadline'
Maybe it's all about to fall into place behind the scenes?

The board as ever seem to be recieving critisism for transfer dealings which are and should be the managers business.

Blue Tiger, Virginia (30/08/2005 at 13:49)

Speculations, I will believe about a signing if one happens,
If we don,t sign any players just think of the bright side of it, if we have injuries or suspensions, our young players will get their chances earlier than expected.
But will we be good enough to compete for a place in Europe?.

Alan, Chadderton (30/08/2005 at 13:53)

Paul Bennet (Sale) - 100% exactly right mate, we are becoming a joke. If the board (and any fans come to think of it) believe that the current squad can achieve a higher finish than last season they are living in cloud cuckoo land !! We have played 4 very average/poor teams and although the points achieved are very welcome we all (fans and board) must realise against the top teams and teams who we percieve as our rivals for places 5 to 9 we will come unstuck. The board are taking the you know what out of us fans and judging by saturdays crowd the fans are voting with their feet and staying away. The minimum we need is 1 central ballplaying midfielder (Reyna and Barton are good at what they do but are just not good enough for this role), 1 right sided midfielder (Sinclair again is not good enough) and a forward to compliment Cole and Vassell. If we fail to buy anyone I fear for our season.

stuart malcolm, macclesfield (30/08/2005 at 13:53)

Don't waste your money just for the sake of a buy.

Keep your powder dry until January.

Nik, Worsley (30/08/2005 at 13:56)

Trust Mr Pearce!!!

DJ, Chorlton (30/08/2005 at 13:56)

I can't believe all the pessimists on here. We've had a great start. Yes we could do with some extra signings but I don't think it is the end of the world even if we sign noone. We must avoid the temptation of panic buying. The fans can create a real danger by raising expectations so that the board feel they have to spend the money to please the fans. That would be dangerous. The transfer rules mean football and management has changed. Nowadays coaches have to use what they have rather than writing out a cheque at the first sign of trouble (as KK used to do).

Phil, Didsbury (30/08/2005 at 13:58)

What alarms me is that we don't appear to be looking at full backs. Mills showed well in the West Brom match but has now reverted to type, and Thatcher and Sun are just not Premiership quality. Barton and Reyna are molding a good partnership as are Cole/Vassell so I don't think we're that desperate for front players. But better teams than those we've played (for instance, United) will find us wanting at the back.

Mickey H, Stockport (30/08/2005 at 13:59)

Stop being so negative. OK, I take the point that we've not played anyone yet, however, you can only beat what is in front of you and I bet the majority of the teams in the prem would prefer to have made the start we've made. I was gutted and disgusted by the negative attitude of the clowns around me on Saturday against Portsmouth too. It's exactly this kind of negativity that holds the club back.
As for transfers - so what? I like the fact that Pearce will not be held to ransome and is looking to improve on what he has got already. If we get someone that fits the bill - great. If we don't, it's not Psycho's fault.
I agree though about Alistair McKinTOSH. I've bought B#100's worth of shares and will be at the AGM to voice my concerns. Shares currently trade at 14.25p each, suggest you all buy one/some and go to the AGM to sort out the real issues.

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