Juventus link no worry for O'Neill

Oct 31 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

VILLA remain deep in discussion with Olof Mellberg over a new contract with manager Martin O'Neill unflustered by the latest speculation in Sweden that has suggested Juventus are showing an interest.

And at a time when negotiations over a new deal are still continuing with Luke Moore, O'Neill has revealed it will be some time after Christmas before he gets around to talking business with in-form Martin Laursen.

All he will say on Mellberg and Moore on the record at present is that: "We are in the throes of things, but there's nothing definite just yet. We're in discussions.''

But it is thought Villa are edging towards a satisfactory solution with both parties.

O'Neill is also keen to tie down Laursen who, like Mellberg, is out of contract at the end of the season and can speak to foreign clubs in January.

O'Neill said of the Dane: "I haven't spoken to him yet. I have been speaking to his agent and I think there will be time enough for that probably after Christmas."

Meanwhile, O'Neill has dismissed recent reports suggesting Villa want to conclude a permanent transfer for Scott Carson in January, midway through his loan from Liverpool.

There had been reports of a £10million fee but O'Neill said: "It's news to me. We haven't even discussed it with Liverpool and there would be no point. He's on loan and that's in black and white. There's nothing in any agreement for any price at all."

O'Neill added: "It's almost as if people haven't written about Scott Carson for a week or two, so they write the story again.

"Maybe it was somebody who was watching Match of the Day last weekend, saw him get sent off and thought it was time to write this story again."

O'Neill has also scotched another report linking him with an imminent £2million bid for Burnley's Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty, although he admits Villa's scouting network is busy.

"I'll tell you how these stories come out - we send scouts to football matches all over the country and suddenly people decide it must be him," said O'Neill.

"People will see our scout's name on the sign-in sheet and they don't even have to see the scout at the game.

"We're covering loads and loads of game and loads of players, as we should do."