Villa linked with Forlan

The former Manchester United striker, who never hit it off during his first spell in England, has repaired his reputation with an impressive stay at Villareal in Spain.

Forlan has revealed that three Premiership clubs are on his trail again and confirmed Sunderland and Liverpool as two of them.

Now it is claimed that Villa's Martin O'Neill is the third manager eager to give him a second bite at the Premiership although he will be taking the club's transfer outlay into new territory if he goes ahead.

The 28-year-old Uruguay international has signed a new deal at Villareal but has a getout clause should a club meet a £15m transfer fee.

Villa's previous biggest transfer was the £9.5m paid to River Plate for Juan Pablo Angel – ironically after the boss at the time John Gregory had been blocked from signing Forlan.

But Forlan says: "It's not only Liverpool who've asked about signing me.

"In January, I rejected a loan move to Sunderland. I also know another Premier League club is asking about my availability.

"I've signed a new deal with Villarreal and they have an exit clause of around £15million in my contract."

Forlan has scored 57 goals in 119 appearances in his three years at Villarreal after managing to find the net only 17 times in 97 games for United.

Villa fans, who have already snapped up 18,000 season tickets as they anticipate an exciting new era under O'Neill and owner Randy Lerner, are pondering a growing number of transfer possibilities.

Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is one, and that has fed the rumour mill that current No.2, Stuart Taylor, could be on his way. Cardiff boss Dave Jones has confirmed he has spoken to a Premiership keeper.