Villa have reassured fans there will be no “fire sale” of players this month.

Manager Martin O’Neill has had to cope with interest in several players including Gary Cahill, Luke Moore and Patrik Berger, while Juventus say they are “close” to reaching agreement on pre-signing Olof Mellberg.

O’Neill has agreed to let midfielder Isaiah Osbourne join Leicester on loan when he is fit, while he has allowed left-back Stephen O’Halloran to join Southampton on a similar basis.

Birmingham have had a bid believed to be £4m rejected for Cahill, who is also attracting interest from Bolton, Wigan, Sheffield United and Derby.

The 22-year-old defender would ideally like to stay at Villa, but wants first team football now.

O’Neill has granted Cahill permission to speak to interested parties, but the manager would prefer to keep the Sheffield-born stopper if possible.

O’Neill has quoted a price of £3.5m for striker Moore to Rangers, whose interest could now accelerate when they complete the proposed sale of Daniel Cousin to Fulham for £3m.

Portsmouth want to re-sign Berger, who is currently out injured, although O’Neill is yet to receive official contact from Pompey chief Harry Redknapp.

The Villa boss is still waiting to hear from Mellberg as to whether he has signed a pre-contract agreement with Juventus.

But O’Neill is determined to strengthen his squad and the club still expect there to be arrivals at Villa Park in the final eight days of the transfer window.