Cahill future in the balance

[Bladesman]

Cahill future in balance

SHEFFIELD United's campaign to bring Gary Cahill back to Bramall Lane is approaching end-game.

The Star understands that Cahill, who enjoyed a hugely impressive three month loan spell with Bryan Robson's side last year, has been told he can leave Aston Villa during the transfer window if the Premiership club can find a buyer prepared to meet their asking price.

Cahill, one of the country's most promising young defenders, is interesting Birmingham City and Sunderland, but both could find the fee prohibitive.

Villa's readiness to offload Cahill is, at first glance, bad news for United who are unlikely to be able to assemble a package comparable to those on offer in the top-flight or, more importantly, match Martin O'Neill's valuation.

But there remains a sliver of hope that Robson can pull-off one of the coups of the Championship season.

Cahill, who was born in Dronfield, made it plain before he returned to the Midlands that he is in no hurry to leave Villa and has indicated that he would prefer to agree another short-term deal with United before launching a fresh battle for his first team place at the UEFA Cup hopefuls during the summer.

This latest development has condemned Robson and his board of directors to an anxious wait and, most probably, a tense game of brinkmanship as they attempt to persuade Villa that Cahill's interests are best served by continuing his development at United.

Cahill, who has failed to make an appearance for Villa since reporting back for duty at their Bodymoor Heath training complex, was effusive in his praise for the United manager after completing his stint with United with a commanding performance against Barnsley in December.

"I feel as if I've improved as a player," he said at the time. "Bryan Robson and Brian Kidd (United's assistant manager) have both done a lot of work with me and I've really enjoyed my time here."

Meanwhile Robson, who is busy preparing for Saturday's visit of Queens Park Rangers, has distanced himself from speculation linking him with Iran international Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht.

Agents purporting to represent the Persepolis star, who has also played in the UAE, claimed Nikbakht was on the verge of being invited for a trial at Shirecliffe.

Looks like he is on his way out of Villa but we will struggle to battle off others to get him.

 

[keenzy]

give em what they want. we looked solid with him at the back, can offload lukky then.,

 

[butchaboy]

i think they want between £4-5 mil
would well be worth it though IMO

 

[happyhippy]

If we could get him for £4m, it would be a good signing. It's just a shame that due to contractual thingies we had to let another excellent centre back go for £4m .........

 

[Robbie]

I was talking to Brunty about this yesterday,

I would love Cahill to come back, so don't get me wrong when I say this.

But I don't think he is as important to team as some seem to think. We have 4 good centre backs in Killa, Lucki, Morgan and Bromby, centre back we don't really need to strengthen for THIS league.

Granted if a player of Cahills ability becomes available we should sign him, but the position is not as urgent as some people make out.

I think Robson needs a right winger now to enhance the squad, unless he intends to play Carney/Martin there.

 

[TonyAgana]

Completely agree Robbie. Morgan and Bromby were underperforming at the beginning of the season but the brief appearances from them recently has settled my feelings about them. They're more than capable at this level so I don't think we should "break the bank" on Cahill. I'd be much happier to see £4m waxed on a bloody good right winger (just don't ask me who ).

 

[Bladesman]

If there is a chance of signing Cahill then I think we should go for it. Id break the bank for him aswell since he as a class defender and will only get better over time.

 

[happyhippy]

I was talking to Brunty about this yesterday,

I would love Cahill to come back, so don't get me wrong when I say this.

But I don't think he is as important to team as some seem to think. We have 4 good centre backs in Killa, Lucki, Morgan and Bromby, centre back we don't really need to strengthen for THIS league.

Granted if a player of Cahills ability becomes available we should sign him, but the position is not as urgent as some people make out.

I think Robson needs a right winger now to enhance the squad, unless he intends to play Carney/Martin there.

Which is fair enough, but if we lose Morgs, and Lucky does the same, then the situation is rather different.

We have a right winger in Keef, it just that we never actually use the wings to at least give him a chance.

 

[Robbie]

Which is fair enough, but if we lose Morgs, and Lucky does the same, then the situation is rather different.

Thats a big if. There has only been rumour that either may go, and the team who wanted Morgs have now sold Balde.

We have a right winger in Keef, it just that we never actually use the wings to at least give him a chance.

Same could be said here, what if we lose Keef?

Keef hasn't performed to a consistent good standard for well over a year now.

 

[The One]

Read in the paper (can't remember which one) that Cahill will turn down a permanent move to another premiership club and return to us on loan because he thinks it will help his chances of a first team place at villa.

 

[markdablade]

Read in the paper (can't remember which one) that Cahill will turn down a permanent move to another premiership club and return to us on loan because he thinks it will help his chances of a first team place at villa.

yeah its the sun i saw it aswell

 

[Foxy]

Rumour has it that Besiktas want to take him.

 

[keenzy]

just read that in the mirror.

Lets face it luckettie isnt getting any younger, so that leaves us with 3 center halfs really. with an injury and suspension were up shit creek without a paddle.

pay say £4million for him, next season sell him for £8million if he turns out to be the player he is tipped to be.

 

[Robbie]

Bardsley and Naysmith are possible for centre back too. He isn't vital.

 

[keenzy]

naysmith struggles at full back, no way would i play him at centre back, bardsley is only loan though so not ours.

 

[silverfox]

Let's hope the rumours are true and he signs.....either on loan or permanent.

 

[matth]

Bardsley and Naysmith are possible for centre back too. He isn't vital.

Square pegs, round holes. We should be buying for position, not hoping that someone can do a job out of position.

 

[BexleyBlade]

Dont get me wrong - Im not wanting us to break the bank and notget anything from it but with our 'parachute' payments surely we can afford to bring Cahill in (potentially make profit if hes not here for the long-term) and also some pacey right winger with some flare and pace

Come the end of the season, if weve just missed out on play-offs/seriousl below par then we could flog Cahill and then rebuild over the summer ... If things do turn around (which Im confident they will do) maybe sign Bardsley permanent Cahill if not already owned and then look for 1/2 more in the middle

I would still like to see something coming from our 'fantastic' academy/youth system because its all well and good picking a youngster up from Man Utd but surely we are in a position where we can create or discover someone special and save ourselves the money and also take the credit!

 

[Foxy]

ignoring the fact we could still bring in big money signings before the window closes again......

why is it that more or less every football fan completely ignores the reason parachute payments exist?

They aren't there to make sure the relegated clubs can spend big, they are there to help the clubs stay in some sort of relative healthy financial position with the extra monetary demands being in the premiership caused. Clubs dropping down lose a lot of income and therefore are supported with the parachutes to allow them to stablise.

The problem with creating someone special is, unlike many other successful academies, our area is somewhat flooded with bigger influences. The kids we'd be looking at can just as easily be snapped up by Man U if they are good enough.

Then of course when you manage to unearth a gem, you have to attempt to keep them out of the grasps of the bigger influences.... Jacob Mellis anyone?

 

[happyhippy]

Square pegs, round holes. We should be buying for position, not hoping that someone can do a job out of position.

Damn right matth.

 

[happyhippy]

why is it that more or less every football fan completely ignores the reason parachute payments exist?

Because they see "£60 million" or whatever it was, over a period of time, and assume it's immediately expendible. It's Monopoly money; not tangible in the slightest.

 

[Robbie]

Square pegs, round holes. We should be buying for position, not hoping that someone can do a job out of position.

Bardsley wouldn't really be out of position at CB.

The reason I stated these 2 was because people were saying about losing centre backs what would we do?

We have 4 centre backs who are all MORE THAN CAPABALE of playing at this level with out having to resort to others.

 

[shorehamview]

Square pegs, round holes. We should be buying for position, not hoping that someone can do a job out of position.

Why in the name of Saint Vitus are we so bloody obsessed in this country with "positions" for players? What the hell happened to producing footballers? I know we need the best players for the best positions, but does this mean if we get a left back then they can only play there?

NO!

Geary and Kozzy were capable of switching positions, Armstrong has so far played at left back, left midfield and central midfield. Why can't players be flexible? Because the coaching systems in this country suck the big one. (I know this is a bit off thread, but while we continue to be so obsessed with "position" and not "playing football" then we will be far behind Mr J. Foreigner.)

 

[keenzy]

because playing at full back is a complete different game than at center half. its o.k at switching full backs, they should use both feet, but then to start playing them at center half when they are not experienced is a sure way to leak goals.

We have Morgan Bromby and killa who are good enough for center half. Luckettie played 2 games and was poor in both, loosing players, positionally unaware and making some cock ups.

 

[Foxy]

Derby boss Paul Jewell is set to rival Birmingham's Alex McLeish for the signature of Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill. (The Mirror)

 

[silverfox]

Bolton are ready to rival Birmingham, Sunderland, Wigan and Sheffield United for Aston Villa defender Gary Cahill, 22, who is willing to go on loan again, though Bolton are thought to have bid £4million for him.

 

[Foxy]

Can't see us backing out at £5mil to be honest, especially if a few of the sales are true... but.....

BLADES PRICED OUT BY £5m CAHILL TAG


ASTON Villa will demand £5m for Gary Cahill - a figure that has priced Sheffield United out of the market for the former England under-21 international.

Cahill recently returned to the Midlands after completing a successful three month loan spell at Bramall Lane and is one of Bryan Robson's top priorities in the transfer market.

United had hoped to re-sign Cahill, possibly on a permanent basis, later this month but their worst fears have been confirmed by the news that despite being prepared to sell the 22-year-old Villa are determined not to let him leave on the cheap.

Neither United nor Villa have commented publicly on the matter but Cahill, who is also interesting Birmingham City, Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers, is understood to have told his manager Martin O'Neill that he would prefer to return to South Yorkshire before reporting for duty at the Premiership club during pre-season.

However, The Star understands that Villa will ask potential buyers for an immediate £4m downpayment with a further £1m dependent upon him meeting certain criteria; including appearances and possible senior caps.

As a result, a top level source at United had admitted that their best chance of securing Cahill's services probably rests with his trio of admirers baulking at Villa's asking price and pursuing options elsewhere.

Encouragingly, there were signs last night that this could be the case with Sunderland announcing the capture of Paris St Germain defender Jean-Yves Mvoto and Bolton landing Iceland's Gretar Steinsson; although the latter primarily plays at full-back.

Robson is also covering his back by opening talks with Rangers' veteran Ugo Ehiogu.

The 35-year-old played for Robson at Middlesbrough but has made just one appearance for the SPL side this term.

 

[Robbie]

You see,

I would say he is worth the money IF we were in a more promosing position of getting promoted. As it stands though we are not.

 

[TonyAgana]

You see,

I would say he is worth the money IF we were in a more promosing position of getting promoted. As it stands though we are not.

Yep. There's no point in having Bobby Moore in your back line, costing stupid money and wages, if he's up against teams like Blackpool, Scunthorpe and Hull, for at least the next 18 months.

 

[Robbie]

From the BBC, Laursen has signed a new deal..... now we just need Melberg to do the same and Cahill may think he has no future there

Aston Villa's Danish central defender Martin Laursen has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Villa Park.
The 30-year-old former Parma and AC Milan defender has agreed terms and is set to sign the contract on Friday.

After overcoming knee problems, the Dane has been an ever present this term and scored his sixth goal of the season in Saturday's 3-1 win against Reading.

Villa were keen to arrange a new deal with the stalwart as the current one was due to expire in the summer.

Laursen endured an horrendous time with injury when he first joined Villa from AC Milan for £3m in April 2004.

But his return to fitness and form has delighted Villa manager Martin O'Neill who told BBC WM: "He's been absolutely outstanding.

"When I first set eyes on him 17 months ago he was recovering from injury and limping around. You had serious doubts about whether he'd be able to play Premier League football.

"Not a bit of it though. He's been magnificent."