Bellamy to Villa.

Raskolnikov

http://www.itv-football.co.uk/News/story_152738.shtml

Villa agree Bellamy fee - Report
Aston Villa, Wednesday May 18 2005
Aston Villa are reported to have had a £6m bid accepted for Newcastle striker Craig Bellamy - with Robbie Keane lined up as his replacement.

Villa have apparently been given permission to speak to the Welsh international, currently on loan at Celtic after a bust-up with Toon boss Graeme Souness.

Bellamy is also likely to attract bids from Blackburn and Birmingham, who failed with a move for the striker in January.

Aston Villa are showning ambition in the transfer market already this summer, with a free transfer for Patrik Berger already sealed and rumours of a move for Newcastle defender Aaron Hughes spreading.

Newcastle are thought to be lining up a bid for Tottenham's unsettled striker Keane to fill the gap left by Bellamy and Patrick Kluivert - who also leaves Tyneside this summer - and are also being strongly linked once again with a move for Luis Boa Morte.

Good news for Villa, awful news for Celtic. While Bellamy is tempermental, there's no doubting that's he's a class above what Villa have currently got upfront. He's also probably the only kind of player that could step into Larssons boots. Will be really interesting to see how he does against Souness next season (assuming that Souness doesn't get sacked :P). Also, it's make or break for Dave O' Leary now that Ellis is willing to back him financially. If he doesn't make Europe next season, he could very well be walking.

Villain

Could be a good signing, he's got the ability question is does he have the will to play football without having to stir things up. I'd prefer Smith but if he's not available Bellamy will be a good choice

eirebhoy

Raskolnikov wrote:

Good news for Villa, awful news for Celtic.

I don't think its good or bad news for Celtic. No news tbh. Obviously there are going to be clubs bidding for Bellamy. Villa are not going to be the only club bidding and not going to be the only one accepted. Celtic will make the funds available and Newcastle will accept (since there's a first option clause). Its up to Bellamy really where he wants to go.

Big Nelly

Would be a good signing....I like Bellamy and he gives alot to the team....good player......never seemed to have many probs with Strachan or any manager previous to Souness....cant remember many bust up's with Bobby???? think it is just Souness strikes again!!

Anyway wat about this reported 15Mil Celtic are supposed to have to spend? heard something somewhere....if so Im sure some of it would go for Bellamy!

In regards to make or break for O'Leary, I dont see how this assumption can be made?? how many millions have previous managers spent and gone nowhere??? he has spent very little and has them back into budget after getting rid of the dead wood so 1-2 season before I would even mention the sack!!

Big Nelly

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/05/18/SOCCER_Villa_Snap.html

Aston Villa could be poised to make their second and third signings of the summer after agreeing a combined fee for Newcastle pair Craig Bellamy and Aaron Hughes.

Having already wrapped up a deal for Patrik Berger, who will join on a free transfer from Portsmouth in July, boss David O'Leary has acted swiftly in an effort to make further additions.

Striker Bellamy had a public fall-out with Graeme Souness in January and has been told he will never play for Newcastle again, but his form since joining Celtic on loan on deadline day has put him in the shop window.

Defender Hughes has made more than 250 appearances for Newcastle and won 40 caps for Northern Ireland.

No details of the fee have yet been released.


According to BBC Radio 1 they have agreed a fee for both players and are in talks at the moment!

Raskolnikov

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/4558727.stm

Villa agree to buy Bellamy/Hughes

Aston Villa have agreed a combined fee with Newcastle to buy striker Craig Bellamy and defender Aaron Hughes.
Wales star Bellamy, 25, is currently on loan at Celtic after falling out publicly with boss Graeme Souness.

Now he will hold talks with Villa, as will Hughes, who is also 25 and a Northern Ireland international.

"I have spoken with (Magpies chairman) Freddy Shepherd and he accepted our cash offer for both players," said Villa chairman Doug Ellis.

Souness, the Newcastle manager, said Bellamy would never play for him again after the pair's relationship broke down earlier this season.

The Welshman, who played for Norwich and Coventry before joining Newcastle for £6m in 2001, is believed to be available for £5m.

That - plus his reported £45,000 per week wages - probably rules out Celtic, for whom Bellamy has fired nine goals in 13 games during his loan arrangement.

But it remains to be seen whether Bellamy will choose to join Villa, who have already snapped up Patrick Berger from Portsmouth on a free transfer.

Hughes has played 43 times for Northern Ireland and captained his country, as well as making 279 appearances for Newcastle.

He can play anywhere across the backline and also in midfield.

Töpher

Would be great for Villa. Wonder hwo much of the kitty will be gone on that, and I'd imagine 45K p/w is out of the question at Villa Park. Good to see DOL bringing (or trying to!) in some players with plenty of years left ahead of them

Villain

Well they said they would be willing to spend the cash on wages also, if not there's no point splashing cash on transfer fee's.

lynchie

He aint going anywhere yet!

Magpies Deny Reports

DESPITE reports to the contrary, Newcastle United have not agreed any fees with Aston Villa over the sale of Craig Bellamy and Aaron Hughes.

News broke on Wednesday afternoon saying the pair were close to completing a move to Villa Park, but Newcastle confirm this report is incorrect and say no fees have been agreed with any club

eirebhoy

Bellamy's wages certainly doesn't rule Celtic out. The board are paying them now anyway and knew what he was earning when they agreed a fee with Newcastle in January (to take him permanantly if Celtic want him). Anyway, Lambert is gone now and he was earning £30k. Juninho was earning even more. Camara was on £25k. Douglas and Sylla are off to Leicester. Petta went in January.

He aint going anywhere yet!

And he won't be going anywhere for a good while too. He's not going to agree a deal with the first club he talked to.

Chucky the tree

i would be suprised to see him at Celtic.

Big Nelly

Dont think he will stay at Celtic, Birmingham/Aston Villa and Blackburn are all looking to buy him....could see him moving to Blackburn with Savage and Hughes there.....little bro supports them and seems to think that this is his ideal move.....