Aston Villa are closing in on the signature of Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell. And he could be the replacement which would finally convince Martin O'Neill to let Gareth Barry complete his move to Anfield.
The Midlands club is understood to be on the verge of agreeing a £4.5million deal for the Chelsea midfielder, which could go through as early as next week.
Sidwell has been one of Villa manager Martin O’Neill’s main transfer targets since the season ended, and his arrival would offset some of the disappointment surrounding the club regarding Barry’s expected departure.
Sidwell played a major part in Reading establishing themselves in the Premier League two seasons ago before moving to Stamford Bridge last summer.
The former Arsenal trainee, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City, had limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant as Chelsea narrowly missed out on Premier League and Champions League glory.
O’Neill, who is currently working as a television pundit at Euro 2008, has a number of other targets including Blackburn winger David Bentley, who has been linked with a £15m switch to Villa.
He is aware of the need to considerably bolster what was the smallest squad in the Premier League last season having already lost the services of Olof Mellberg, Patrik Berger and Thomas Sorensen.
Everton target Tom Huddlestone, Jimmy Bullard, James Milner, Aaron Lennon and Pascal Chimbonda have also been linked with the club.
The Midlands club is understood to be on the verge of agreeing a £4.5million deal for the Chelsea midfielder, which could go through as early as next week.
Sidwell has been one of Villa manager Martin O’Neill’s main transfer targets since the season ended, and his arrival would offset some of the disappointment surrounding the club regarding Barry’s expected departure.
Sidwell played a major part in Reading establishing themselves in the Premier League two seasons ago before moving to Stamford Bridge last summer.
The former Arsenal trainee, who has also attracted interest from Manchester City, had limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant as Chelsea narrowly missed out on Premier League and Champions League glory.
O’Neill, who is currently working as a television pundit at Euro 2008, has a number of other targets including Blackburn winger David Bentley, who has been linked with a £15m switch to Villa.
He is aware of the need to considerably bolster what was the smallest squad in the Premier League last season having already lost the services of Olof Mellberg, Patrik Berger and Thomas Sorensen.
Everton target Tom Huddlestone, Jimmy Bullard, James Milner, Aaron Lennon and Pascal Chimbonda have also been linked with the club.
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