Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Fofana off as Villa want Cummings
Friday 31st December 2010, 11:29AM GMT.
Villa have today pulled the plug on a move for French starlet Gueida Fofana but are close to finalising a loan deal for Jamaica international Omar Cummings.
Le Havre midfielder Fofana is out of contract in the summer and flew to Birmingham for talks over a cut-price switch to Villa in the January transfer window.
He has been compared with Patrick Vieira and, as revealed in yesterday’s Express & Star, Villa had been in advanced negotiations.
But slight medical concerns have prompted Villa to put the deal on ice for the time being and concentrate on other transfer targets.
Villa boss Gerard Houllier admitted he has been impressed with Fofana, and it is possible the club may seek to resurrect the deal in the summer, but they will not be making a move for the Ligue 2 player at the moment.
“The Fofana deal is not done yet and I doubt it will be done,” said Houllier. “For the moment an agreement has not been reached. He’s got potential, he’s a 19-year-old player, very mature with a strong personality.
“He’s the captain of the France Under-19s that won the European Championships, but I’ve got other young players and you’ve got have a balance in terms of wages and abilities. It’s more likely not to happen.”
A loan move for Colorado Rapids attacker Cummings is on the cards though after the player impressed Houllier when he trained with the first-team squad at Bodymoor Heath.
The 28-year-old forward, who has won 21 caps for Jamaica, would join Villa on the back of a good season in Major League Soccer where he scored eight goals and contributed 12 assists in 28 games.
“He will be here probably until March,” said Houllier. “We looked at some videos and said we would have him here on trial. He looks quick although he’s a bit jet-lagged.”
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