I'm pretty sure JJ did know AVB was coming in. He categorically told me it won't be Martinez, he wouldn't know that if he didn't know who it was I wouldn't have thought.
I'm pretty sure he also told me that Bale was about to sign a new contract before it was mentioned anywhere else.
When asked about it he said it categorically wasnt martinez as you say but couldnt confirm if it was AVB. There have been things he has got right - but he certainly hasnt been spot on. Said repeatedly that we would have a striker by newcastle and then today said we wouldnt. Said we had talks about Lloris and then when asked 2 weeks later about the link with Lloris he said "what link?", also said no to a number of players but then last week said one of the players he said no to could be an option but again wouldnt commit to a name. IMO he changes his mind too often and often posts quite vague ITK. Not bashing at all as I enjoy reading what he and others say but like everyone says - pinch of salt required.