Mark Delaney

[Bladesman]

Delaney is the next target as Davis joins Blades
Ian Appleyard

SHEFFIELD UNITED manager Neil Warnock is chasing Aston Villa's Mark Delaney after landing Preston North End defender Claude Davis in a club record £2.5m deal.
Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough also want Welsh international right-back Delaney, who is available for around £400,000 as part of Villa manager David O'Leary's summer shake-up.
Warnock is intent on bolstering the Blades' defence ahead of life in the Premiership and Davis is the third addition to the rearguard following the free transfer arrival of Manchester City's David Sommeil and the completion of Chris Lucketti's permanent £250,000 move from Preston after an initial loan deal.
Delaney's capture would offset the temporary loss of current right-back Leigh Bromby, who is set to miss the start of the season due to a knee injury.
Other targets for the Blades include Birmingham City midfield player David Dunn and Newcastle United midfield player Nicky Butt.
Warnock is also scouting at the World Cup, and will sign former Everton and Chinese international utility player Li Ti on a one-year deal to generate valuable commercial spin-offs.
The Blades are also looking to sign a goalkeeper to provide cover for Repubic of Ireland international Paddy Kenny which could lead to a return to Bramall Lane for former Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard, who is without a club after leaving Nottingham Forest.
New arrival Davis was regarded as one of the best defenders in the Championship last season and is a regular in the Jamaican national side.
Warnock swooped for the 27-year-old after missing out on Wolves defender Joleon Lescott, who yesterday joined Everton in a £5m deal.
"I watched Claude on several occasions over the last couple of seasons and am absolutely delighted to get him," said Warnock. "His pace and power will be invaluable to us next season. He and Joleon Lescott were my No 1 targets and when Lescott was beyond us I concentrated on getting Claude.
"It's a lot of money but that is what you have to pay to get that sort of quality in.
"I don't know what my team will be when the season starts. Somebody else will no doubt come in to change our thinking by then."
Davis insists he will not find his price tag – £2.5m rising to £3m if the Blades avoid the drop – a burden and is looking forward to fulfilling his dream of playing in the Premiership.
"It doesn't frighten me but it should give me confidence to go out and be a success," said Davis. "It does not change how I will go about my work. I would fight to defend my house with everything I've got and that is the same way I play the game.
"The fans loved me at Preston because they knew I always gave everything. That's what I'll be doing here and I know I have got to battle to get into the team. Playing in the Premiership is a dream come true for me and we are not going there to just make up the numbers."

15 June 2006

Dont know about him coz villa have hardly had a good season.

 

[dj_uk_1234]

Delaney would be a great signing, specially for 400k

At that price, it makes you look fools for getting Davis at 3mill.

cant believe how little their looking for Delaney

 

[Sharpy]

As a serious question, if Delaney is so good, why is the poorest Villa Premier team of the last ten years or so prepared to let him go for such a small fee?

 

[Sensiblade]

Not all team know what they;ve got fully.
Even if they are told they sometimes let players go for next to nothing.
we've been guilty of it in the past and other clubs do it as well.

 

[Sharpy]

Not all team know what they;ve got fully.
Even if they are told they sometimes let players go for next to nothing.
we've been guilty of it in the past and other clubs do it as well.

But delany has been there for over 5 years, surley they must no what they have by now and obviously that isnt good enough?

 

[Bladesman]

Well he cant carry a struggling villa team by himself. Villa are on the slide they have been making problems for themselves over the last few years. Villa rate him highly and i think they are having to sell players now coz they cant afford to bring anyone in. They cant make james milners move perminant and newcastle wernt asking alot in the way of a fee by prem standards. So it seems villa are having a clear out and he might be being shown the door to cut the wage bill. If he was that crap sharpey he wouldnt of been at villa for 5 years.