Transfer Rumour Madness Roundup

Well with a new manager, and with the apparent abundant signings about to pour in, and because the transfer window is about to reopen, it’s time to evaluate my usual crazy sources on the net of rumoured transfers, from the sensible and believable, to the outright ridiculous. Here we go.

Given

Shay Given

As much to do with the act he is out of favour at Villa, and McLeish last job was Villa comes the clever association that we are signing Shay Given. Rumours differ on whether its loan or permanent, but I’d be guessing Villa want people off their books so it’d be permanent. Now Given isn’t the force he was, and may well be looking for a last challenge in his career. Whether he sees that as competing with Lee Camp is unclear. Camp hasn’t been bad lately, but fans still seem to not forgive him seeking a move 18 months ago. This though is believable. Managers like to have a keeper they know and trust.

N'Zogbia

Charles N’Zogbia

Again a Villa connection, people seem to have decided that because he hasn’t been in the team he must be out of favour and we are going to look to sign. This completely overlooks his recent injury problems where he has missed around 2 months with a knee injury. Also N’Zogbia is fairly well regarded by many a manager, has high opinion of himself, he really isn’t going to drop to the Championship. Not happening

McKay

Billy McKay
Inverness striker who has been bang in form this season.  Whether this is needed with our relatively decent striker options it’s unsure but it would potentially be a good signing for a not so high fee.  Hal the Championship has been linked with the Northern Ireland striker, so why not Forest too. And why not link us because we have money. Believable, but  needed?

McLaughlin

 Stephen McLaughlin

Speaking of Northern Irish players, it’s still unclear what status this transfer got to before the managerial change. McLeish did say that he will discuss targets with the existing back room staff that have a list of players. McLaughlin may feature. He may not.

Burke

Chris Burke
The right winger has been linked before and there are quite a number of people citing this rumour. It may well be true and it would be a handy signing, as I’ve always thought he’s a handy winger. A number of people seem to be confusing who signed him for Birmingham, he signed for them in June 2011. This was exactly the time McLeish was leaving the club via email. He may have been the one who set the ball rolling on it though.

McFadden

 James McFadden

Was always going to be linked due to past McLeish connections. He also has a short term contract with Sunderland that’s going to expire shortly so that would also tie in with him coming to the club. He may be a little similar to Reid though for this to work. Would be a good signing though.

Scott Sinclair
Not going to happen. People saying because he is not in first team that he is looking at a loan. Yes maybe he is, but it would be a 6 month loan to another Premiership team.

Some mentions to for players who simply not going to happen but I saw people on Twitter mention Ryan Bertrand, Wilfred Zaha, Joleon Lescott, Joe Cole