Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Shay Given close as Aston Villa make Scott Parker bid
Saturday 16th July 2011, 11:29AM BST.
Villa expect to complete the signing of Shay Given this weekend – after entering the bidding to sign West Ham midfielder Scott Parker.
They are understood to have lodged a £7m offer for 30-year-old Parker, but face difficult competition from London clubs Spurs and Chelsea for the England player’s services.
And Villa defender Carlos Cuellar has been given the weekend to consider a move back to Rangers.
Given is in the closing stages of talks with Villa after Manchester City agreed a fee of around £3.5m for the Irish international who is chasing first-team football after a season spent understudying Joe Hart,
Villa manager Alex McLeish wants a replacement for Brad Friedel in before taking his squad to Hong Kong for a pre-season tournament next week.
Villa are still favourites to land Charles N’Zogbia but the clubs continue to haggle over the Wigan winger’s valuation.
Now sources in London confirm that a £7m bid has gone in for Parker, who is also considering an offer to spend a season on loan at Chelsea to cover for the injured Michael Essien.
West Ham admit this loan option appeals as Parker could return in the event of the Hammers returning to the Premier League but the prospect of a bigger pay day from Villa is also tempting.
Cuellar’s proposed return to Rangers, after Villa agreed a £2m fee, hinges on whether the Spanish defender will accept a hefty cut in his £40,000-a week-wages.
His agent Pedro Bravo said: “I believe Aston Villa and Rangers have agreed a fee over Carlos Cuellar. Now I and Carlos need to speak to Rangers, but that is all I want to say.”
Meanwhile Downing completed his £20m switch to Liverpool – the pay cheque that is funding much of Villa’s transfer designs – declaring: “It’s been a long time coming and I’ve had to wait a few weeks but there was only one place I wanted to go.”
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