very good player, but not worth £25m. Not sure if the press are just hyping up his fee, or if Toulouse are actually asking for this amount of money.
Whilst this comment will cause a stir, i would personally spend the money on a left sided player and let Modric play in the middle with Wilson. Modric can do more damage in the centre and in my opinion will be top drawer this season

Another insightful piece from The Sun........

Of the glimpses of Sissoko I've seen, a central midfield partnership of him and Palacios would potentially be devastating. Those two in the centre along with a solid backline would allow Modric and Lennon almost a free reign to join the attackers as much as possible.

Even so, I wouldn't pay £15m for someone we don't desperately need.

I haven't seen Sissoko play but this is what I am hoping for from our midfield. Two solid CM's leaving modric and lennon to push on.

The guy isnt even that bothered if he leaves or not.. compare that to Jenas who is Tottenham through and through, and I think the answer is there.

He is "19" and has had one good season... no thanks

I's be surprised if he is being pursued as a partner for Palacios. He has a similar style, from all I can glean. No matter how good he is, he would be the alternative to Palacios.

It's a squad game. We need two serious players for every role. We only have one player who does what Palacios does.

How ironic that we may be looking for another strong central midfielder who can do a good defensive work as well as support attack now, which is what Ramos' teams (esp Sevilla) always have. Ramos wanted to add Albelda and/or Veloso to get a stronger centre in midfield, but Levy and Comolli went for 15.5 mil Bentley instead.

Two powerful, dynamic, skillful central midfielders were the basis on which creative midfielders and attack flourished at Sevilla. I'm not sure Sissoko is there yet, but if Harry is looking for an upgrade on Jenas, more credit to him.

I think there lies the problem.

Levy clearly backed Comolli over Jol and Ramos.

Im not so sure David, i think Harry might be going for two all action battlers in the middle of the park, with the creative forces out wide and in front of them, much like fergie's old set up.

I agree ! We havent been linked with a left hooker for some time, so maybe he`s decided to leave Modric in that role and have all action midfielders. Id still prefer we didnt bother paying that much such an unproven player.

Im glad you agree with me, even if you are villa :wink:.

I think £15m+ for an 'alternative to Palacios' is pretty irresponsible spending myself (particularly as money is clearly a bit tighter this summer) but to be fair it hasn't stopped us in the past. The problem I have is with our five right backs...

Get Krancjar on the cheap, one year to go on his contract, can play left side. Let's not concern ourselves with stopping the opposition, let's try to beat them. The standard of team in the PL this year is particularly poor, with the exception of the top four we should be going out to smash all the others.

I agree with everything you said except your last point. I think the league will be even harder this year especially the top ten with the Man Citys, Aston villas, Evertons etc Will be tough but im hopeful!

Who's to say we can't play him with Palacios? similar players don't necessarily cancel each other out and I can potentially see us using these two against tough midfields away from home.
The only problem is that there is a substantial risk paying vast amounts on a player who has had (great) success over a season or two with just one team. We've seen so many great players in the PL bought from abroad with great reputations for them to fail big time. What weighs in Sissoko's favour is his strength and speed.

Of course we could play Sissoko with Palacios, but I'm looking at the motivation behind trying to sign him. Harry inherited a squad full of good players, but with a big gap: no one who could act as midfield ball-winner, enforcer, protector of the defence and all-purpose action man, whilst also contributing competent distribution and passing skills.

We have two right wingers, four strikers, several creative players (depending on whom one includes in that definition), one and a half left wingers, a couple of left backs, a pair of goalkeepers, four central defenders and forty-six right backs.

But we only have one player who does what Palacios does. So we need another. Thus, I think the reason behind trying to sign Sissoko is so we have two good players for that position and role. That would further suggest to me that we are more likely to play one of them at a time.

Think we should examine our own squad in greater depth before we splash out £15/£20 million on a 20 yr.old who will be new to the club, the country and the league.

O'Hara has been playing well pre-season, Boateng seems to have calmed down and might play a role here.

If we have all our centre backs fit, we have the best english DM in our squad, namely Ledley King.
Croatia coach Bilic also considers Corluka a fantastic DM player (although I have never seen him play in that position).
However, if Harry wants this guy we should back his judgement.

Ha Ha Villa ? What does that mean ? :shrug:

A closet aston villa fan.