Martin O'Neill ready to move for £12 million Stewart Downing

Jul 13 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

VILLA are expected to step up their interest in Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing this week with reports that a £12 million deal is close.

Martin O’Neill is determined to add the England winger to his ranks even though he is unlikely to return from a broken foot until October at the earliest.

O’Neill’s desire to pursue Downing will inevitably lead to questions over the future of Ashley Young, who has been at the centre of increasing speculation that Tottenham want to negotiate a player-plus-cash swap deal involving David Bentley.

Chelsea and Manchester United are also said to be keen but it is understood that Young’s advisers are keen for him to remain at Villa Park as he will risk losing his World Cup place as a squad player elsewhere.

It has been reported that Downing is due to meet O’Neill this week to talk terms. Meanwhile, Simon Grayson has insisted Leeds will not budge on their valuation of Fabian Delph.

Grayson revealed last week that a couple of Premier League clubs – known to be Villa and Everton – had made bids for England Under-21 midfielder.

The Leeds manager maintains he will not consider selling Delph until an acceptable offer has been received, while he was also delighted with the youngster’s performance in a 3-3 friendly draw with York yesterday.

“We have turned down bids from two Premier League clubs and until anybody meets our valuation then he is our player,” Grayson said.

“I think he proved today that he is committed to this club.

“Every player has their price but it has to be right for the football club, and it will be a decision made by myself, the chairman and the chief executive if we sell.”

Grayson says he is confident he will still have Delph and striker Jermaine Beckford at his disposal when the transfer window closes.

“Both players are committed to the football club and once 31st August comes along and they are still Leeds United players then I will be delighted,” he said.

Villa are still well placed to push through a £2 million transfer of Portsmouth’s French centre-back Sylvain Distin but any move is on hold until Portsmouth’s takeover has been resolved.

That will allow Zat Knight to move on with Wolves and Bolton believed to be keen.