GARY McAllister has revealed that efforts are ongoing to convince Ashley Young Villa is the best place to continue his development for club and country.

Real Madrid are the latest football superpower to be linked with a swoop for Young, who has put his contract talks on hold until the summer.

The Spanish giants join an illustrious list of clubs reportedly tracking Young with Manchester United heading the Premier League rivals interested in the England star.

Sources in the north west claim United are preparing a £15 million bid for Young, who has just over one year of his contract left and could leave for nothing in summer 2012.

But, if the winger-cum-striker does decide to go, Villa would look to drive up his price with a bidding war involving other potential suitors also including Liverpool and Spurs.

Villa understand the 25-year-old could have his head turned by the speculation and McAllister admits Young’s form, if not his workrate, has been patchy during recent matches.

Asked about Villa’s efforts to persuade Young to stay, McAllister replied: “That’s continuous.

“He has been very focused. The facts are he could have been distracted with all the talk.

“There’s not a day passed when he hasn’t been linked with somebody but he is a good professional.

“Maybe in games he’s been a wee bit up and down, but he gives 100 per cent.