Villa hunt Nicky Shorey

According to the Daily Star, Aston Villa are poised to make a £4.5 million bid for Reading’s England international left-back Nicky Shorey.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill was keen on the 27-year old even before Wilfred Bouma’s horrendous injury on Saturday. The 30-year old Dutchman suffered a dreadful ankle dislocation just 11 minutes into the Intertoto Cup clash with Odense. Bouma’s right ankle was completely twisted around and he has had to have a plate inserted to facilitate recovery.

Villa must replace him quickly and as such O’Neill has put Shorey to the very top of his shopping list as he sets about bringing in at least five new players before the season starts.

Reading is desperate to offload some higher wage earners following relegation from the top flight last season and could be prepared to do business despite having turned down a £5 million offer from West Ham in January.

[Source: The Daily Star]