Martin O'Neill has until midnight on Friday to bring in new players and the two been talked about in the papers this morning are Per Mertesacker of Werder Bremen and Glen Johnson from Chelsea.

I've seen Glen Johnson play quite a bit of football so can confidently say he'd be a squad player if he came. Having no recollection of watching Per Mertesacker, I've no idea what to say.

The Per Mertesacker rumour however is from The Times, so you'd like to think there was some truth in it. Although, isn't The Times owned by the same company that own The Sun?

His agent has also told German newspaper Bild this morning that the player wants to play out his contract. "Per has signed a contract with Werder until 2010. So a transfer is not an issue at all". Doesn't sound too promising does it, but what did you expect from The Sun, sorry, The Times?

The Glen Johnson one is probably just paper talk because Mourinho has come out and said he'll listen to offers and we don't have a right back. Sure, it might happen as the manager only has a few days to scrape together a squad, for the long term, and he may get knocked back on a right back or two.

All rumours, but one thing can be guaranteed for this week; lot's of speculation and at least two or three signings, even if I think he's going to need to sing at least five to keep the natives happy.

Comments (26)

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smylhr said:

per mertersacker played agisnt england last week, he is quality and it is not the first time this summer i have seen that rumour. i dont think glen johnson would be a good signing

August 27, 2007

TomR said:

I have to admit, I'm starting to feel quite nervous. I've been relatively positive and patient for the summer, expecting signings to come and understanding that it's not the easiest to get players in - especially quality rathter than just quantity. But now, with only 5 days left, I'm getting nervous. We need to, and have been pretty much told, that we will bring in players to make up for the numbers left, or words similar to that effect, but 5 or 6 players is a lot to get in a short space of time. Still hoping and trusting the club, but just getting slightly nervous about it all. All we can do is wait and see.

August 27, 2007

otv said:

Per's agent has openly refuted the claims

August 27, 2007

TomR said:

Not sure on Glen Johnson - I don't think he's that good a player, though it may be that he got slightly eclipsed by the other players at Chelsea, with more quality. Still, I have known players to not be so good and go to clubs and make a name for themselves, so if we get him, he could do well for us. I've only heard of Mertesacker, so can't really comment on him. From what I can remember, Hoyte from Arsenal, who has also been a rumour, looked quite a good player with potential. The sort of player we seem to be signing, so I'd be interested to see if that comes up again. Would like to see some midfielders come in too. Someone like Reo-Coker to cover for him if needed, and maybe a central playmaker or two.

August 27, 2007

smylhr said:

i would like paulo ferreria

August 27, 2007

acer said:

We have been promised players all summer - only 1 of any quality has arrived. It wouldn't totally surprise now - if no more arrived. MON has come pretty close to admitting he's misjudged the market - he also has the issue of Petrov and Maloney to deal with. I really can not beleive he has left it this late.

August 27, 2007

Martin W (in Germany) said:

Well btw. The German Newspaper "Bild" is also owned by the Sun, and is in Germany synonymous for "bulls**t"! Secondly, Per Mertesacker played against England on Wednesday! Didnt you see that game? Actually he played quite well!

August 27, 2007

Damian said:

at Martin W i've given up watching England friendlies under second choice Steve .. would have watched Barry was on from the start but lost heart after the team was announced

August 27, 2007 | url

german_villan said:

Actually the German Newspaper "Bild" is also owned by "The Sun" and is synonymous in Germany for "bulls**t". Secondly, Per Mertesacke played for Germany against England last Wednesday! Didnt you watch that game? I thought he played quite well, but I havent seen him play too much. He also played in the 2 champions league games last year for Werder Bremen against Chelsea. Cant remember him particularly, but I remember the team performance both times was very good and Chelski were a little lucky with their results. Werder were also better than Barca in at least one of the games IMO!

August 27, 2007

Dizzy Mugs said:

Damian, if you watched England vs. Germany, then you've seen Mertesacker play. ;-) He wasn't very good but for Werder Bremen he's been something of a hero.

August 27, 2007

Top_6_Villa said:

transfer is not an option.... hes not going anywhere.... where have i heard that before????? aaahhh i know.... 7 days before Mr Henry F**ked off from Arse-nal

August 27, 2007

Johnnyf said:

Mertesacker would be a top quality signing, the kind a signing we need, a young commanding centre back with champions league experience and bags of potential to become a truly world class centre back. Also don't see the major beef with Glenn Johnson, ok so he may be no Bosingwa and i'd definately prefer to see other targets come to the club but ive seen him quite a few times and imo he also has potential, and at least he's nowhere near as bad as Jliability 'and not great going forward' Samuel. Should be an interesting week UTV

August 27, 2007

davesayers said:

sam allardyce has come out saying he needs a new right back aswell, (carr and ramage out) so i expect theyll go for for johnson aswell

August 27, 2007 | url

Chrisodon said:

I Don't think they'll go for johnson i could be wrong though. I wouldn't be surprised if newcastle try to buy Dani Alves off sevilla all summer they've harped on about world class signings!

August 27, 2007

Top_6_Villa said:

that dont mean much all summer we have been harping on about world class signings and look where thats got us...

August 27, 2007

96tears said:

I really hope we don't sign Glen Johnson. He's a complete pratt off the field. He's like Bowyer, Pennant, Jody Morris. Believe me.

August 27, 2007

dean sabin kingstanding bham said:

i watched aston villa play against a columbus crew side when they came to the usa, not only did they look short of ideas at times but they looked weak in areas where the likes of chelsea and man utd would have a field day.defence and midfield which i hoped would have been solved by now.and for the record the only player who came over to us to thank us for the support was olof melberg,so wheres the team spirit they sure didnt appreciate the support that night.oh and martin play luke moore he is scoring goals and goals is what you need to win a game right.good luck on this season and SPEND SOME MONEY

August 27, 2007

Nick73784 said:

What happened to buying the likes of Wesley sneijder? Jermaine Defoe? We need quality not Glen Johnson, what a donkey! Oh well I'm sure by the end of the week things will be looking more promising, and we've got plenty of attacking strength so goals shouldn't be too much of a problem this season unlike last when until the end of the season we didnt really score too many.

August 27, 2007

Villain from Texas said:

Team likes Real Madrid happened to buying the likes of Wesley Sneijder.

August 27, 2007

Ferchie McArson said:

Glen Johnson Heading for Villa, Mertesacker Goes to Aston, Santa Claus is coming to town, BigFoot seen in Small Heath...Blah,Blah,Blah....MON will pull a surprise out of the bag on the last day of the Transfer window and don't expect it to be any of the above!!!

August 27, 2007

woodyo said:

glen johnson/ there's only one place for him to go, and that to blackpool, yeah blackpool, on the beach with the other donkey's. what's appened to the top quaility blarney o'niel's been talking about for god knows how long. mind you it wouldn't suprise me if johnson comes, cos he's the same quality as harewood, and that looks like o'niels idea of top quality players, i'm sick of all this irish bulls**t, ome on o'niel, walk the walk, don't keep talking the talk. we had enough of that with 'sadam ellis'.

August 27, 2007

paddy said:

johnson is crap. mertersacker is class. lets wait til 1st september and then we will see who the world class players are or in johnsons case aren't. if there all brittish first division players we will not be playing european football next season. woodyo whats irish bulls**t?

August 27, 2007

alo the villan said:

oneill is talking s**t again,were slowly turning into leicster with signings like glen johnson

August 27, 2007

Top_6_Villa said:

according to the sun, VILLA ARE SIGNING FULLHAM DEFENDER Zat Knight FOR 4MIL BECAUSE WE ARE TOO TIGHT TO PAY 10 FOR DAVIES.... GOD I HOPE NOT.. MARTINS SECOND RATE TEAM HERE WE COME THE DICK EVEN SCORED AN OWN GOAL WHEN WE PLAYED THEM OTHER DAY

August 28, 2007

a-villan said:

davies isnt worth 10mil. west brom fc arent worth 10 mil. we need to be lookin to europe for talent there is none in the championship.

August 28, 2007

JJ said:

I cant really complain becuase these 2 players could be useful in the middle of the season wen will have most likely have injuries. Glen Johnson is a must sign player yes we have gardner but he is not a right back i went to the fulham game and fair enough hes not a right back but he wasnt as solid as you would like with the likes of kamara running at him and trying to get round him we need some1 fast and solid. So hopefully that could be another signing!

August 29, 2007

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