Villa close in on David Wheater deal
Thursday 23rd December 2010, 12:30PM GMT.
Villa were today closing in on the signing of David Wheater while Joey Barton laughed off a potential move away from Newcastle.
Manager Gerard Houllier has been linked with moves for the Middlesbrough defender and also, this week, with a swoop for bad-boy Barton.
But Barton has shot down those rumours.
He said: “I was actually laughing about it this morning, saying that I thought £1.5million was a little bit cheap and if I was them, I would ask for more.
“I have been on record as saying I want to stay here for the rest of my career.
“As far as I’m concerned, that’s what’s going to happen.”
But Wheater’s move looks a good bet.
The Teesside-born defender is out of contract at the end of the campaign and, as he turns 24 in February, he is eligible to leave on a Bosman free transfer.
Boro have made it clear they would like him to stay, but would be loathe to lose him for nothing and are now ready to sell.
Wheater, who has been called into the England senior squad under Fabio Capello, is attracting strong interest. Stoke, Everton and Newcastle are among those known to be keen.
Villa were previously linked when manager Martin O’Neill was in charge, and now they are set to renew their interest.
It is understood that Houllier’s assistant Gary McAllister, who was a first-team coach at Boro under previous boss Gordon Strachan, has recommended the defender.
UK Sport
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