Villa’s hopes of persuading Olof Mellberg to extend his stay beyond this season suffered another blow today as Italian press reports insisted a deal has been agreed with Juventus.
Mellberg’s Villa contract runs out this summer and all attempts to persuade him to stay have so far floundered.
And it now looks more and more likely that Juve will be getting the Swedish international for nothing in the summer with the Italian media today swamped with reports that Mellberg has agreed personal terms already.
If that is how it pans out, it is likely to further strain relations between Villa boss Martin O’Neill and Manchester City’s Sven-Goran Eriksson - the Swede was quoted in the Italian media advising Juve to sign Mellberg,
“Maybe I should recommend some of his Manchester City players to Barcelona or Manchester United and see how he likes it,” said O’Neill.
“Olof has shown a fantastic attitude for us this season and of course I would like to keep all our best players.
“I was really surprised with what Sven has said because it’s out of character for him to be speaking like that.”
Villa are keeping Luke Moore for a while longer though after the club today extended his contract to June 2009.
Villa took up a one-year option on the existing deal for the England Under-21 international who has hit 15 goals from 40 starting appearances. This season the Academy graduate has scored twice in eight league and cup starts.
2 Comments
Agreed a contract with whom? Player is not allowed to talk elsewhere until next month surely. This may well be agenttalk to bolster negotiations!
Time moves on, and while Olof has been an outstanding performer for the club during his time here, maybe now it is time for the parting of the ways. Good luck to him in whichever route he takes. He certainly owes us nothing, but as he is now 30, the question has to be asked as to how much longer he would remain a first choice selection, particularly if, as is hoped, a specialist right full back is brought into the club in January.