Villa are weighing up whether to make a fresh move for Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Boss Martin O’Neill is a big admirer of the England international and made a move for the 26-year-old during Jose Mourinho’s time at the club in January 2007.
Back then, O’Neill baulked at the £10m asking price and estimated £70,000 a week wages. Wright-Phillips’ lack of action since then means he could be available at a much more reasonable rate and Villa may be prepared to pay £8m.
They face stiff competition from Newcastle for his signature, as the player is also on Kevin Keegan’s wish-list. Villa will be hoping the clout brought about by their sixth-place finish and the ambition of O’Neill and chairman Randy Lerner to fund a Champions League bid can attract top names.
Wayne Routledge signed in January, but he hasn’t started a game yet and Villa desperately lack right-sided wide cover. The former Manchester City wide man would be an alternative to Blackburn’s David Bentley, whose expected price of £15m is far more than O’Neill would pay.
Villa also face stiff competition for City defender Richard Dunne, who is set to leave this summer. The Republic of Ireland defender is also being tracked by Spurs.
But they are stepping up their pursuit of freed Arsenal keeper Jens Lehmann as they look to fill the gap left by Scott Carson and Thomas Sorensen.
It is believed Villa would only consider doing business at a price of between £3m to £4m for Carson, who spent last season on loan at Villa from Liverpool.
Sunderland have been linked with a possible £4m move for Shaun Maloney while striker Marlon Harewood is attracting interest from promoted Stoke, Fulham and Wigan.
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