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Aston Villa are stepping up their attempts to
sign unwanted Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe according to sources
close to the midlands club.
Reports that Defoe held talks with Martin O'Neill on Wednesday
have been refuted, with the Villa manager watching the youth team in
action in their FA Youth Cup clash at Colchester.
But the England player is understood to have held talks with Villa representatives during the past 24 hours.
O'Neill has been a long-time admirer of Defoe, who has been told he is surplus to requirements by Spurs boss Juande Ramos.
O'Neill, who was linked with a move for Defoe last summer, is
keen to bolster his strike force with Luke Moore having refused a new
contract.
Defoe also falls into the category of the kind of player
O'Neill has slowly but surely built his squad on - young and with
plenty still to prove.
Villa are maintaining their normal policy of not commenting
publicly on any transfer dealings until a player has signed on the
dotted line.
But a source said: "Defoe was in the midlands area on Wednesday and today for talks with Villa representatives."
Defoe is likely to cost in the region of £10-12million should a move to Villa get the green light from club and player.
The ex-West Ham player has been a consistent marksman throughout
his career but has gradually slipped down the pecking order at White
Hart Lane.
Defoe would have no problem fitting in at Villa as he already
knows the likes of Scott Carson, Ashley Young and Gareth Barry from his
time on England duty.
sign unwanted Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe according to sources
close to the midlands club.
Reports that Defoe held talks with Martin O'Neill on Wednesday
have been refuted, with the Villa manager watching the youth team in
action in their FA Youth Cup clash at Colchester.
But the England player is understood to have held talks with Villa representatives during the past 24 hours.
O'Neill has been a long-time admirer of Defoe, who has been told he is surplus to requirements by Spurs boss Juande Ramos.
O'Neill, who was linked with a move for Defoe last summer, is
keen to bolster his strike force with Luke Moore having refused a new
contract.
Defoe also falls into the category of the kind of player
O'Neill has slowly but surely built his squad on - young and with
plenty still to prove.
Villa are maintaining their normal policy of not commenting
publicly on any transfer dealings until a player has signed on the
dotted line.
But a source said: "Defoe was in the midlands area on Wednesday and today for talks with Villa representatives."
Defoe is likely to cost in the region of £10-12million should a move to Villa get the green light from club and player.
The ex-West Ham player has been a consistent marksman throughout
his career but has gradually slipped down the pecking order at White
Hart Lane.
Defoe would have no problem fitting in at Villa as he already
knows the likes of Scott Carson, Ashley Young and Gareth Barry from his
time on England duty.
)