M’Bami, Ben Arfa and Nicky Shorey

Now the World Cup is over for England although the transfer rumours aren’t quite back into overdrive, they are starting to pick up with Villa today being linked with two players, with another rumoured to be on his way out.

Modeste M’Bami is a Cameroon international and is available on a free transfer and it’s no secret that Villa have at least made contact with the midfielder because he has been making a lot of noises.

He told Sky Sports: “I’ve been in contact with many clubs, Villa are a very good team but nothing’s official. I’m not going to talk about anything.”

I’m not going to big this player up or put him down because if I’m quite honest I don’t have a clue who he is or what he’s about. What I do know about his is what his wikipedia page tells me.

He’s a 27 year old Midfielder who’s just finished a season in Spain with Almeria after playing 27 times for them. Before that he had three years with Marsaille and six years with PSG in France. He has also represented Cameroon no less that 28 times.

Hatam Ben Arfa

The Mirror are today stating that Villa will look to Ben Arfa of Marsaille if they do lose James Milner this summer to Manchester City.

This is a player I know had a big reputation as a teen and was expected to produce big things but the talk about him has died down over the past few years.

A bid of around £12million is believe to be enough to prize him away from France. He has been capped 7 times by France despite being of a Tunisian descent and is described as a talented player but does tend to be criticized by his lack of discipline.

The last sentence suggests to me that this won’t happen as Martin O’Neill will only bring in players who will be yes men and do as there told. He doesn’t like players challenging him which Ben Arfa could well do if the French press are to be believed.

Nicky Shorey

We all know he will be leaving Villa Park this season but the question is where to? Billy Davies is today making noises stating that he would love to make Shorey a permanent fixture at Notts Forest after having a loan spell there next season.