Aston Villa linked with move for Carlton Cole
Saturday 29th May 2010, 11:29AM BST.
Villa were today linked with a double-raid on West Ham for striker Carlton Cole and wideman Valon Behrami.
Martin O’Neill is reportedly set to move for Switzerland international Behrami and step-up his long-standing interest in England striker Cole.
But the Villans could face some tough negotiations with the Hammers if they want to land Cole with Upton Park bosses said to value the targetman at up to £15m.
Villa are unlikely to be in the market for such big-money deals this summer, even if they eventually sell in-demand midfielder James Milner.
Behrami, meanwhile, is said to be available at the right price.
The 25-year-old, who can play as a full-back or a wide midfielder, has played 51 times in the Premier League for West Ham.
Meanwhile, Stephen Warnock looks set to train with England today ahead of the final warm-up game before the World Cup.
The Villa left-back took part in light training yesterday but is due for a full session when the players are put through their paces before the friendly with Japan in Graz.
Warnock will hope to see some action tomorrow after Leighton Baines jumped ahead of him in the race to make the final 23-man squad for South Africa.
O’Neill is a firm admirer of Warnock and hopes he can make Fabio Capello’s final squad, which will be announced on Tuesday.
O’Neill said: “It would be terrific.
“He played exceptionally well for us this season and has had a great time here since arriving at the football club.”
n Birmingham have dropped their lawsuit with former owners David Gold and David Sullivan over the price paid for the Barclays Premier League club.
Current owner Carson Yeung, through his company Grandtop Holdings, bought the club for a reported £81.5m.
Yeung initially called in the West Midlands Police economic crime team over alleged “financial irregularities” at the club, although any criminal investigation was ruled out.
And the club have now decided not to pursue the matter through the civil court after coming to an agreement with the Hammers hierarchy.
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NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!
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Get your backside abroad ONeill,there must be loads of strikers as good as him at half the price !
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We don’t want this donkey back.
He was bloody useless first time round!
I can’t see that he has got any better since.
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