' Cardiff City Turn down £8mill bid from Aston Villa '

Aston Villa have £8m transfer bid knocked back for Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge


By Tom Coleman

Tuesday 4th May 2019


Aston Villa are chasing Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and have already had a bid knocked back.


Villa saw a bid of around £8m rejected by the Bluebirds , who aren't interested in selling one of their star performers unless a "generous offer" is made for his services.

Fulham have also taken an interest, and are understood to have made a bid closer to £10m last week.

However, Etheridge is believed to have indicated he has no interest in a move to the club that released him back in 2014. If he is to leave he wants to play in the Premier League, with Cardiff looking for a fee of over £10m.

Etheridge has attracted a fair bit of interest on the back of an impressive season in the Premier League and was previously linked with a move to West Ham United.

The signings of Espanyol stopper Roberto and Millwall's David Martin have surely ended any chance of a move to East London, but a move to Villa, who are reportedly in the market for a new number one, could prove tempting.


Boss Dean Smith and goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler are both known to have a strong personal relationship with the Philippines international, having worked with him at Wallsall during the formative years of his career.

Etheridge, who kept nine clean sheets for Cardiff in the Premier League last season, has previously credited Cutler as being a key influence in his career.

Thinking back to his time with the Saddlers, Etheridge said: "When I arrived, I don't think many people understood me on or off the field.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is believed to be keen on making a move for Etheridge (Image: 2018 Getty Images)
"I'm quite a complex character and sometimes it takes people time to warm to me.

"But Cuts understood I am laid back and enjoy a joke, but I take my work extremely seriously.

"He has taken me to another level."


The chance for a reunion with the pair, along with a potential return to the Premier League, is likely to appeal to Etheridge, but Cardiff owner Vincent Tan is believed to prefer keeping the 29-year old.

In contrast, boss Neil Warnock has already indicated that he would be willing to sell Etheridge should the right offer come in.

Speaking before the end of the season, the Yorkshireman said : " I was there yesterday and someone mentioned, I don't know if they were joking, ‘oh someone’s making a 20m offer for Neil Etheridge gaffer. What would you do?’

"I said ‘I’d put him in my car and drive him there! And I wouldn't let him out until he'd signed!'

"You have to take it all with a pinch of salt really. There's bound to be clubs circling to look at what you've got. But would any of our players get into their sides?

"You just don't know what other teams are thinking about."

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29-year-old should be pushing for Cardiff and Aston Villa agreement on one condition

By Ben Lang

Tuesday 4th June 2019


Cardiff City have turned down an £8million offer from Aston Villa for goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

The 29-year-old was ever-present for the Bluebirds in the Premier League last season, and delivered consistently impressive performances despite his club’s relegation.

His displays clearly caught the eye of Dean Smith who is seemingly on the hunt for a goalkeeper to challenge Jed Steer for a starting spot in the nets.

Steer delivered a string of excellent displays as Villa embarked on an end-of-season run, with his season highlight coming in the play-off semi-final when he saved two spot kicks in the penalty shoot-out against West Brom to send Villa to Wembley.

Smith is now clearly eager to have all bases covered ahead of Villa’s Premier League return, which would explain why he has launched a pursuit of Etheridge.

The former Fulham goalkeeper should now be pushing hard for a Premier League return, as he clearly showed last season that he is capable of playing in the top-flight.

Villa could also be a good fit for him as he enters the peak of his career, as he will be wanting to now play Premier League football regularly.

It is vital though, should Cardiff eventually accept any improved offer from Villa, that Etheridge seeks assurances from his potential employers that he will get first-team football at Villa Park. This is due to that fact that he could be competing for the number one jersey with Steer, Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic.

Etheridge should accept the fact he needs to put up a fight for the starting spot, but he will not be happy moving to Villa and then playing second fiddle all season.

His displays last season proved he is Premier League quality, and he can now cement this status by making the correct move back to the top-flight.

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Aston Villa ready to make fresh bid for proven PL man

Tuesday 4th June 2019


Aston Villa are ready to increase their bid to sign Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after an initial offer was rejected, according to Football Insider.

Villa reportedly offered £8million to bring the highly-thought of goalkeeper to Villa Park but are set to increase that to £9million in the coming days.

Despite Cardiff’s relegation from the top-flight, Etheridge frequently impressed in goal for the Blue Birds, playing in all 38 of their league matches and making the second most saves in the division.

Smith is reportedly eager to bring in a reliable presence in goal for the beginning of the season with both Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic proving unconvincing and Jed Steer’s only recent revival.

Cardiff finished second in the second-tier two seasons ago, behind only Wolves, and came close to surviving, trailing Brighton and Hove Albion by just two points at the end of the campaign.

Fulham and Huddersfield Town joined them in being relegated back to the second-tier and all three will be determined to bounce straight back up.









The verdict

I am not sure this is the smartest use of Villa’s funds.

Jed Steer has been very steady so splashing so much on somebody who is far from essential seems a bit odd.

From Cardiff’s perspective there is no real need to sell either. Etheridge will be on of the Championship’s best shot-stoppers next season and will have plenty of parachute payments to help them out, so why bother cashing in?

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Report: Aston Villa could come back for Cardiff City's Neil Etheridge

Aston Villa's Dean Smith is currently weighing up whether to make a second bid for the Cardiff City stopper.

HITC

04th June 2019


According to the Express and Star, Aston Villa could make an improved offer for Cardiff City’s Neil Etheridge.

Villa have seen a £8 million bid rejected for Etheridge, with Cardiff wanting to keep hold of the stopper.

However, Dean Smith is still weighing up whether to increase his offer for the Philippine international.

Etheridge was one of Cardiff’s stars during their Premier League campaign last season, and has already proven he can play at the top level.

Villa could be on the hunt for a new goalkeeper this summer, with question marks lingering over their current options in net.

Neil Etheridge of Cardiff City celebrates after teammate Sol Bamba scores their team's second goal during the Premier League match between Cardiff City and Brighton & Hove Albion at the...

Lovre Kalinic was only signed by Villa in January, but he picked up an injury and looked shaky early on in his career at Villa Park.

Jed Steer finished the season as number one, but there is a feeling he could be upgraded.

And Villa may well go back in with a second bid for Etheridge in the next few days, according to the latest reports.

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Aston Villa ready to make fresh bid for proven PL man

Tuesday 4th June 2019


Aston Villa are ready to increase their bid to sign Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after an initial offer was rejected, according to Football Insider.

Villa reportedly offered £8million to bring the highly-thought of goalkeeper to Villa Park but are set to increase that to £9million in the coming days.

Despite Cardiff’s relegation from the top-flight, Etheridge frequently impressed in goal for the Blue Birds, playing in all 38 of their league matches and making the second most saves in the division.

Smith is reportedly eager to bring in a reliable presence in goal for the beginning of the season with both Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic proving unconvincing and Jed Steer’s only recent revival.

Cardiff finished second in the second-tier two seasons ago, behind only Wolves, and came close to surviving, trailing Brighton and Hove Albion by just two points at the end of the campaign.

Fulham and Huddersfield Town joined them in being relegated back to the second-tier and all three will be determined to bounce straight back up.









The verdict

I am not sure this is the smartest use of Villa’s funds.

Jed Steer has been very steady so splashing so much on somebody who is far from essential seems a bit odd.

From Cardiff’s perspective there is no real need to sell either. Etheridge will be on of the Championship’s best shot-stoppers next season and will have plenty of parachute payments to help them out, so why bother cashing in?

I find that a bit stupid if true that they're only going up by 1 million, going to take another 6 or 7m before we're going to consider anything.

Also agree with the writers verdict, I dont see any need to sell considering the money we have just received, we dont need the money so let's keep one our best players.

Aston Villa ready to make fresh bid for proven PL man

Tuesday 4th June 2019


Aston Villa are ready to increase their bid to sign Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after an initial offer was rejected, according to Football Insider.

Villa reportedly offered £8million to bring the highly-thought of goalkeeper to Villa Park but are set to increase that to £9million in the coming days.

Despite Cardiff’s relegation from the top-flight, Etheridge frequently impressed in goal for the Blue Birds, playing in all 38 of their league matches and making the second most saves in the division.

Smith is reportedly eager to bring in a reliable presence in goal for the beginning of the season with both Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic proving unconvincing and Jed Steer’s only recent revival.

Cardiff finished second in the second-tier two seasons ago, behind only Wolves, and came close to surviving, trailing Brighton and Hove Albion by just two points at the end of the campaign.

Fulham and Huddersfield Town joined them in being relegated back to the second-tier and all three will be determined to bounce straight back up.









The verdict

I am not sure this is the smartest use of Villa’s funds.

Jed Steer has been very steady so splashing so much on somebody who is far from essential seems a bit odd.

From Cardiff’s perspective there is no real need to sell either. Etheridge will be on of the Championship’s best shot-stoppers next season and will have plenty of parachute payments to help them out, so why bother cashing in?

I find that a bit stupid if true that they're only going up by 1 million, going to take another 6 or 7m before we're going to consider anything.

Also agree with the writers verdict, I dont see any need to sell considering the money we have just received, we dont need the money so let's keep one our best players.

I'm with you on that

Bloody agent touting this I suppose, find it hard to believe the amount being thrown about as he is a good shot stopper but commanding the box and distribution is dire.

Stay here under dibble and learn your trade lad

Bloody agent touting this I suppose, find it hard to believe the amount being thrown about as he is a good shot stopper but commanding the box and distribution is dire.

Stay here under dibble and learn your trade lad

He's 29 now, which I know isn't old for a keeper but his value will be at its peak after a good season in the premiership. The only scenario I see his value going up further would be if he played in the premier league next season and had a really good season, even then at 30 I don't see his value pushing up much further.

Hope we don’t sell him with Smithies gone...would be in the top 3keepers in championship ...but if the lad wants premier league then he will go if he gets a pl offer

Hope we don’t sell him with Smithies gone...would be in the top 3keepers in championship ...but if the lad wants premier league then he will go if he gets a pl offer

Both Neil Etheridge and the club (City) are at a crossroads right now and this single decision could send out a big message ahead of an important season for all concerned

Whilst Neil Etheridge's 'ambition' should be appreciated and his age means he is at or approaching his peak contractual years but this 'ambition' must be balanced by the needs of the club he is contracted to and with regard to the role he would actually play at any new club, i.e. first choice or squad member

From the club's perspective (and I believe Neil Warnock's "I'll driver him there..." comments were of his usual tongue-in-cheek value) it should take an immense bid (c.£12m+ with a sell-on clause) to even consider letting him go. Unlike after our last Premier League experience, we don't 'need' to (one of the major pluses of the club's management between 2014 and 2019) and we may not find a replacement of equal or similar quality, if as rumoured, Smithies is off to Birmingham

For me, Cardiff City FC are ready to go again and it should be a case of City appreciating what they have. Neil Etheridge is currently very much needed at the CCS, so I would prefer him to stay. His value last season was (to most) clear and he will surely be an even better player for his Premier League experience on his return to the Championship

Problem with that is we have reached the point of clubs and contracts have little or no sway when a player decides he wants to move, the days of holding someone to their contract have long gone!!!

Problem with that is we have reached the point of clubs and contracts have little or no sway when a player decides he wants to move, the days of holding someone to their contract have long gone!!!

Appreciate that but I'm not convinced Neil Etheridge would do that to City out of respect to the manager and what he has done for him; and I've not seen anything from the player that states anything other than he would like to play in the Premier League again. That will hopefully be with Cardiff City FC in 2020/21

Really good keeper now and essential for our push back up, £15Million minimum or they can do one!

Both Neil Etheridge and the club (City) are at a crossroads right now and this single decision could send out a big message ahead of an important season for all concerned

Whilst Neil Etheridge's 'ambition' should be appreciated and his age means he is at or approaching his peak contractual years but this 'ambition' must be balanced by the needs of the club he is contracted to and with regard to the role he would actually play at any new club, i.e. first choice or squad member

From the club's perspective (and I believe Neil Warnock's "I'll driver him there..." comments were of his usual tongue-in-cheek value) it should take an immense bid (c.£12m+ with a sell-on clause) to even consider letting him go. Unlike after our last Premier League experience, we don't 'need' to (one of the major pluses of the club's management between 2014 and 2019) and we may not find a replacement of equal or similar quality, if as rumoured, Smithies is off to Birmingham

For me, Cardiff City FC are ready to go again and it should be a case of City appreciating what they have. Neil Etheridge is currently very much needed at the CCS, so I would prefer him to stay. His value last season was (to most) clear and he will surely be an even better player for his Premier League experience on his return to the Championship

I've always said the starting point for any team is the very best Keeper and Striker you can buy, last year I wanted Fabianski and Mitrovic, realistically if we had got both those we would have stayed up they were easily three points more probably ten plus, but it would have been a big outlay.

In fairness, I underrated Etheridge who was excellent for us last season, now I would be very reluctant to sell him because the same applies, so sell for £15 million plus and tell them to pay up or move on.

Then get the best Striker we can afford and fill the gaps in the spine!

12 mill extra 2 if villa stay up and 20% sell on simples don,t stop the lad if his heart is not in Cardiff .

10mill and he will be gone. Premier league football again, good luck to him I say

10mill and he will be gone. Premier league football again, good luck to him I say

Agreed, we only got 2m for Marshall and he’s available on a free also Welsh keepers Adam Davies and Wayne Henessey. Any would be a good replacement and with Smithies who Warnock signed as his No 1! Remember we turned down a similar sum for Zohore, what’s he worth now 1m?

Ultimately the club is a business....and like it or not getting £10million for a free transfer is bloody good business.

Why sell a player who is vital to the club next season for a giveaway price when we can give it a good shot at promotion with the parachute payments.

A definite no from me for the price quoted at £8M

Why sell a player who is vital to the club next season for a giveaway price when we can give it a good shot at promotion with the parachute payments.

A definite no from me for the price quoted at £8M

For once in a long time, this club are in a position to keep their better players without being held to ransom and it feels pretty good. The figure mentioned is a drop in the ocean in today's market and a look at our own waste (£10m+ in some cases) is testament to that

Keep the core of this team, get a striker firing on all cylinders and we are as good a 'team' as any in this Championship

Ultimately the club is a business....and like it or not getting £10million for a free transfer is bloody good business.

sell your better assets for what is not a huge sum in football terms and roll the dice...nope..

thats not business

Why sell a player who is vital to the club next season for a giveaway price when we can give it a good shot at promotion with the parachute payments.

A definite no from me for the price quoted at £8M

For once in a long time, this club are in a position to keep their better players without being held to ransom and it feels pretty good. The figure mentioned is a drop in the ocean in today's market and a look at our own waste (£10m+ in some cases) is testament to that

Keep the core of this team, get a striker firing on all cylinders and we are as good a 'team' as any in this Championship

Absolutely bang on the money

Why sell a player who is vital to the club next season for a giveaway price when we can give it a good shot at promotion with the parachute payments.

A definite no from me for the price quoted at £8M

For once in a long time, this club are in a position to keep their better players without being held to ransom and it feels pretty good. The figure mentioned is a drop in the ocean in today's market and a look at our own waste (£10m+ in some cases) is testament to that

Keep the core of this team, get a striker firing on all cylinders and we are as good a 'team' as any in this Championship

Absolutely bang on the money

same here..
ive never understood any fan saying ..if we could get x amount...

replacements are always gambles, all transfers are. and more do not workout than do..so why would anyone want to get rid of a first team player.???????????

Why sell a player who is vital to the club next season for a giveaway price when we can give it a good shot at promotion with the parachute payments.

A definite no from me for the price quoted at £8M

For once in a long time, this club are in a position to keep their better players without being held to ransom and it feels pretty good. The figure mentioned is a drop in the ocean in today's market and a look at our own waste (£10m+ in some cases) is testament to that

Keep the core of this team, get a striker firing on all cylinders and we are as good a 'team' as any in this Championship

You can get a darned good Championship striker for £10m. Will a £10m striker score more goals than a £10m goalkeeper save goals?

His kicking is terrible.

If they offer £10m, then take the money and run. Can get an adequate replacement for a fraction of that price.

He's nowhere near as good as our fans make him out to be.

Wales ONline saying Liverpool interested?

[quote="Pantmawr Bluebird"]Wales ONline saying Liverpool interested?

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=207766

His kicking is terrible.

If they offer £10m, then take the money and run. Can get an adequate replacement for a fraction of that price.

He's nowhere near as good as our fans make him out to be.

Don’t post that on here.. it’ll be down to £5M by this evening..

Rumour scousers are going to bid know