Wednesday's Aston Villa Transfer Talk

It is that time of the day again, lets look at who the press say we'll be buying and selling!

Well, I don't like the first one, then again, I don't believe it either...!

Reports today, have us linked to Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing who it appears will be sacrificed by Boro to balance their books. Ok, we've seen that link before and it makes sense, the player is an England international, or at least on the fringes and despite picking up an injury whilst playing us, he is due back in October. However the report in the Express takes it one further and says the purchase of Downing might signal the sale of Ashley Young to Manchester United for around £25million. Chelsea are also said to be interested in the PFA Young Player of the Year.

For one thing, he has to be worth more than £25million? For another, he isn't for sale..! Then again, if a player gets his head turned....?

Villa are still being linked with Sheffield United full-back Kyle Naughton who is also interesting Everton, Manchester United and Manchester City. The Daily Star say we are set to bid £7million for the Blades young player of the year. The report claims we'd then loan him back to the Bramall Lane outfit for another season.

Plenty of reports linking us again with a double raid on Middlesbrough with Downing (as mentioned above) and Tuncay Sanli being the targets. The last report I read on Tuncay said he wanted a return to Turkey but who knows!? Downing is said to be rated at £12million and Tuncay at around £6million.

Apparently Everton have bid £13million for Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour who has been linked to Villa and Spurs several times. Apparently the initial £9million bid was rejected.

According to Sky Sports Fulham defender Brede Hangeland has played down reports that he is leaving Craven Cottage with Villa strongly linked yesterday. And yes, Spurs and Manchester City have been linked as well... naturally!

Another we've been linked with, Republic of Ireland and Manchester City central defender Richard Dunne is being fought over by Sunderland and Tottenham according to The Sun.
Tottenham will fight it out with Sunderland to sign Richard Dunne from Manchester City. Everton and Villa are also said to be watching the 29-year-olds situation who the Sun claim is rated at around £5m

The Sun also have an article saying that Wigan supremo Dave Whelan has told Amr Zaki he isn't welcome at Wigan. The striker, labeled the most unprofessional footballer he's ever worked with by Steve Bruce said the other day that Villa bid £11million for him in January. Zak's Not The Way To Do It Whelan said: 'Zaki is difficult to control. When you get players with indiscipline like him, you just have to wipe your hands of them. It's all over with Zaki - full stop.' Shame, he looked a great player when he first joined Wigan!

Sky Sports claim that Villa, Everton, Fulham and Spurs target, Sweden U21 striker Marcus Berg is on his way to German side Hamburg.

Groningen director Hans Nijland told Aftonbladet, 'Hamburg's interest is very serious. I can confirm that we have had a personal meeting in Germany.' Adding, 'We have discussed the clubs with Marcus and his agent Soren Lerby and have been advised that Hamburg is Marcus' first choice.' The fee is said to be around €10million. Damn, he looks a top prospect!

Former Villa manager Ron Atkinson.... come on, time for a quick chorus... Big Fat Ron's Claret and Blue army!.... says that Villa should bid for Chelsea's giant Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic.

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