> Michel Bradley set to be latest face to arrive at Villa
> Ireland set to join Newcastle - by on loan only
> Stephen Warnock a target for Liverpool and Wigan
GERARD Houllier aims to conclude a hectic month of wheeling and dealing by completing deadline-day loans for incoming Michael Bradley and outgoing Stephen Ireland and Stephen Warnock.
American international midfielder Bradley will today become Villa’s fourth signing of a productive January transfer window following the captures of record signing Darren Bent, Jean Makoun and Kyle Walker.
Ireland is set to join Newcastle until the end of the season while Warnock is also poised for a temporary spell away from Villa with former club Liverpool and Wigan competing for him.
Bradley arrived in Birmingham from Bundesliga strugglers Borussia Monchengladbach over the weekend and is due to complete a medical and agree terms today after visiting Bodymoor Heath yesterday.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder will be on loan until the end of the season with an option in Villa’s favour to make the move permanent if they so wish before the end-of-May deadline written in the deal.
Bradley, a strong six-footer who has 50 caps for the USA and impressed in last summer’s World Cup in South Africa, has been monitored by Houllier’s scouts in Germany for several months.
An ongoing disagreement between Bradley and his club coach upon his return following a mid-season break alerted Villa to the possibility of loaning the player who has 18 months left on his contract.
Bradley is the son of US national team coach Bob Bradley, who was overlooked by Randy Lerner in favour of Houllier when the board appointed Martin O’Neill’s successor last September. It is hoped Bradley’s height and physique would give Villa a more powerful option in a midfield which currently includes diminutive players like Makoun, Barry Bannan and Nigel Reo-Coker.
Bradley faces similar work permit issues to Makoun but the club are optimistic he can travel to Germany, sort out the paperwork and be back to train by Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s game against Fulham.
The imminent arrival of another midfielder has cleared the way for Ireland, Villa’s only signing of 2010, to join Premier League rivals Newcastle on loan until May in a bid to kick-start his stuttering career.
