Speculation that Villa are to bid £5m for Barnes after talks broke down with Rhodes.

I expect this to be nothing more than a fake story that has gathered a bit of pace as it usually does on twitter.

Considering a bid...

But at 5mil I wouldn't say no

Strange story can't see us selling a current first team striker to a team in division below.

Why would we sell a striker who is currently holding down a place in the first team. Suspect it's a nothing story.

MACCA wrote:Considering a bid...

But at 5mil I wouldn't say no

£5m for one of our two main strikers? No thanks.

Sell Barnes and invest the income into Rhodes

worth way more to us than 5 million

Vegas Claret wrote:worth way more to us than 5 million

Agreed

At the beginning of the season I'd have snapped their hands off for that, I wouldn't now. I've been really impressed with Barnes since he came into the first XI.

claptrappers_union wrote:Sell Barnes and invest the income into Rhodes

Sell a first team starting striker then spend more money on one than can't get a start in a team below us? No thanks!

£5m wouldn't buy his boots !

martin_p wrote:Sell a first team starting striker then spend more money on one than can't get a start in a team below us? No thanks!

Hes a goal machine, look at his record. Will score more goals than Barnes.

Barnes isn't just about goals, his contribution to Gray's goals, his contribution to getting us 20 yards further up the pitch when we are under pressure have been massive for us this season - I would go as far as saying playing him instead of Vokes has been the difference between wins and draws this season

Aye, if we get relegated.

£5m for Barnes sounds a lot but when you look at the fees for Gestede, Bamford etc, plus the fact we're currently a striker short, it would make little sense to sell. Especially when he fits the #framework so well. Probably a made up rumour anyway.

Vegas Claret wrote:Barnes isn't just about goals, his contribution to Gray's goals, his contribution to getting us 20 yards further up the pitch when we are under pressure have been massive for us this season - I would go as far as saying playing him instead of Vokes has been the difference between wins and draws this season

^^^^THIS^^^^

PL defenders will be hoping this deal happens.

Look at Mangela, he went away on loan instead of facing Barnes again.

Vegas Claret wrote:Barnes isn't just about goals, his contribution to Gray's goals, his contribution to getting us 20 yards further up the pitch when we are under pressure have been massive for us this season - I would go as far as saying playing him instead of Vokes has been the difference between wins and draws this season

Beat me to it!

claptrappers_union wrote:Sell Barnes and invest the income into Rhodes

I don't think Garlick et al are looking to invest in property abroad at present.

Do not sell. End of.

Was off to bed and just thought I`d have a quick peek on here. I`m glad I did as THIS has tickled me pink. I`ve heard some good `uns but this takes the proverbial biscuit. Barnes is INTEGRAL to our team/squad and can function hugely successfully in a couple of positions. Dyche must be also having a right good belly laugh. Thanks and good night!!!!

1. Why would he go?
2. Why would we sell?

An insult based on what he offers at the level he is at.

Unless we sign a class striker,can't see Barnes leaving. He wouldn't have a chance in holy hell of playing in Villas 1st XI if they did somehow get promoted back to the prem. He's very limited,a poor passer and a cheat.That said he's reasonably versatile,has a good 1st touch and fits into our framework very well.

Middlesboro just paid 5M for Bamford who was relegated to Barnes towel boy while he was here.

Rhodes is not a dyche type. Offers nothing other than championship goals. Would not pay £5m never mind 10. Barnes is a key member of our starting 11.

Doubt Barnes will be going anywhere.
I have it on good authority that Rhodes is on 60k a week at Boro.
Initially 40k then increased as part of his deal on promotion.
Gibson bought him. Karanka doesn't want him.

Touchline wrote:Doubt Barnes will be going anywhere.
I have it on good authority that Rhodes is on 60k a week at Boro.
Initially 40k then increased as part of his deal on promotion.
Gibson bought him. Karanka doesn't want him.

But the good news is that he's not scoring 1 in 2 for Rovers anymore

Barnes is a crucial part of our squad and a player I think fits the framework superbly.

Don't see why we would even consider selling him, let alone for £5m (which really is nothing these days), and I don't think Barnes would be interested in dropping a league either.

Can't see this happening and if per chance it did then we could find ourselves
in the proverbial and needing to get in another forward pronto.
We don't want a repeat of what happened last time when we were left seriously
short in midfield and in the next match we lost Marney for the rest of the season.

It's about time someone put a bid in for Ash, when he's fit he's a monster, with a great touch. He deserves some recognition.

I'd never dream of selling him mind.

Rhodes would be totally unsuitable for the way we play. Barnes suits the way we play.

For me, Ashley Barnes has been a revelation this season.

He is not the most skilful footballer in the team, but he puts himself about, in many ways.

The comments above say it all... he is worth far more than the £5m allegedly on offer.

Ash is intelligent.
He draws fouls.
He is skilled in the dark arts.
He gives 100%.
He looks like winning really matters.
He has good reflexes.
He competes.
All in all he is just what our team needs. £5M would not come close to getting a replacement.

some of you guys are watching a different Ashley Barnes than me!
I think he's brilliant, his layoffs alone are worth 5mil......a REAL claret!!!!!!!

A class act worth triple posh boy Bamford and double the money Boro wasted on Rhodes. A throwback centre forward no nonsense and plays with his heart on his sleeve.Another non league diamond we unearthed.

If Steve Bruce offered 10 million for Rhodes then Ash is worth at least that

I'd offer them Vokes for £5M, I think we need a striker to partner Gray long term if we're to progress which would probably mean we'd need to sell one of Vokes/Barnes, Barnes is currently helping us win games and is quite a big player for us.

you'd sell vokesy now? Blimey you really are barking.

£5 million for Ashley Barnes when dross like Ross McCormack goes for double that with zero Premier league experience?

Ashley Barnes has to be one of the most under-rated Claret first-teamers ever. His competitive nature reminds me of many of our 60's regulars. He gets stuck-in, he takes the kicks and the bruises. He knows where the goal is and he plays 'for the team'. He hates not playing, but doesn't seem to rock the boat when he hasn't got the shirt. Has made an excellent recovery from his injury and is an integral member of 'the group'. He should stay until 'the great one' decides his time has come and I hope that is a long time off yet!!

Barnes, Vokes and Gray are all integral to 'the group' and each of them have found their 'footballing spiritual home'. All combinations can be used by Sean to suit the opponents on any given day. Chasing a game, we might have all 3 on together occasionally. Having a favourite out of the three, doesn't mean we have to have a downer on any of the other 2.

I do prefer posts where I get the feeling that we're all in this together, rather than people constantly trying to identify 'the weakest link' and wanting to change all the time. Then demanding consistent performances!!

£5 mill wouldn't buy the grass under his boots a bit of wishful thinking on somebody's behalf.

We need two target men and two strikers in the squad, so it would be daft to sell him now when we only have three strikers in the squad.

In the summer, if either he or Vokes can be improved upon, then by all means get 7-10 million for him.

We score more goals without Barnes on the pitch than with him.

Sunderland - 2 goals without him
Southampton 1 goal with him
Sunderland away - no goals (18 mins, missed a big chance)
City away - scored as soon as he went off
Sunderland - 4 goals with him, inc one from him. Rare assist.
Middlesbrough - scored when he went off
Spurs away - scored
West Ham away - didn't score (14 mins)
Bournemouth - 2 goals without him, 1 with
Stoke away - no goals, 90 mins
City at home - scored without him. 10 mins.
WBA - 45 mins, no goals.
Palace - 4 mins, Third of 3. winner.
Utd away - no goals, half an hour.
Everton - 2 goals without
Southampton - 1 goal without
Watford - 2 goals without
Hull - 1 goal without
Liverpool - 2 goals without.

He's a dirty cheat I'd prefer didn't play for us. Unfortunately we only have 3 strikers, and he's one of them. Vokes is better, Gray is better. If we can get another striker in I'd grab Villa's hands off.

You'll be getting splinters before too long, Walton.

Woodleyclaret wrote:A class act worth triple posh boy Bamford and double the money Boro wasted on Rhodes. A throwback centre forward no nonsense and plays with his heart on his sleeve.Another non league diamond we unearthed.

I know Brighton fans are above themselves but I wouldn't classify them as non-league, lower league maybe...

Woodleyclaret wrote:A class act worth triple posh boy Bamford and double the money Boro wasted on Rhodes. A throwback centre forward no nonsense and plays with his heart on his sleeve.Another non league diamond we unearthed.

We un earthed a non league diamond? Surely he'd played at least 3 seasons at Brighton, and I think they may have signed him from Plymouth (would need to check).

My take on Ashley Barnes is this....he creates opportunities for others...at Brighton he was superb alongside Glen Murray and could take players out of a space without so much as touching the ball....he can play up front on his own, alongside a striker or as we saw on Saturday in midfield (once subs were made)...oh and he works incredibly hard for the team. Worth every bit of £5m in todays market.

The only way I'd want to see Barnes go for £5 million is if I was on 10% commission, I'd have to seriously think about it then.
He's rumbustious but to say "dirty cheat" (post 44) is stretching things too far.

Snotgrass plays as much forward as a winger so that could make four forwards for us if we got him, doubtful but stranger things have happened.

summitclaret wrote:you'd sell vokesy now? Blimey you really are barking.

Yeah he isn't effective enough for me, too soft and hasn't got the ''link man'' qualities like Barnes.
Good at Championship level, hopefully we aren't at that level for a long time though.
I think we need another striker (not right now) but for next year, which would probably mean we'd have to get rid of Vokes or Barnes, I'd prefer to keep Barnes over Vokes. I think 3 first team strikers is fine, I wouldn't want 6 like we had last year. I have high hopes for Agyei, I wouldn't want him falling further down the pecking order by stacking our squad with more and more strikers to fill the bench.