ALEX McLeish is continuing to monitor Scott Parker’s transfer situation – but the chances of Villa swooping for the popular West Ham midfielder are remote.
McLeish will not be drawn into a bidding war for Parker and any progress could depend on the sale of Stewart Downing, which is currently not an option for Villa.
Contrary to reports yesterday, Villa have not received – let alone rejected – an Arsenal offer for Downing to add to Liverpool’s two failed bids.
Nor are the club expecting a transfer request because Downing and his people are believed to understand it would make no difference to Villa’s stance.
Wigan’s Charles N’Zogbia is yet to be seriously discussed by McLeish and the board, although Downing’s fate might have a bearing on that if a replacement is needed.
McLeish and soon-to-be new Villa scout Paul Montgomery are known admirers of N’Zogbia, who they nearly signed for Blues last year, but Villa would refuse to pay over the odds for the 25-year-old French winger.
Latics owner Dave Whelan could inflate the price way above £10 million after admitting N’Zogbia will almost certainly be sold with two years left on his contract.
Parker has been on Villa’s radar since as long ago as last summer when former manager Martin O’Neill was interested in the ex-Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle man.
Back then Hammers owners David Sullivan and David Gold were demanding around £15 million for Parker who went on to shine despite the club’s woeful relegation.
Now, despite being contracted until 2014, the 30-year-old is available for half that price with West Ham resigned to losing him because of their Championship status.
Villa have carried on tracking Parker, who was last season’s Football Writers’ Association’s footballer of the year, following his all-action performances.
But there has been no bid from Villa for Parker, nor is one imminent, amid suggestions there could be a scramble for his signature.
The Hammers have reportedly accepted a £10 million offer from Turkish club Fenerbache, but Parker rejected the advances because he wants to stay in England.
Although Tottenham were widely expected to provide Parker with the opportunity to remain in London, they were reportedly put off by his £70,000 per week wage demands.
The salary package would also be a stumbling block for Villa if they decided to pursue their tentative interest in the revitalised England international.
Chairman Randy Lerner is determined to get the club’s wage-bill under control and is unlikely to sanction a move to boost an already well-stocked midfield department.
Villa will have captain Stiliyan Petrov, Jean Makoun, Fabian Delph and Stephen Ireland challenging for central places, along with young hopefuls Barry Bannan, Gary Gardner, Jonathan Hogg and Chris Herd.
Lerner is prepared to pay £3.5 million for Shay Given with the 35-year-old Manchester City goalkeeper set to complete his move to Villa Park this week.
But having been stung during the Martin O’Neill era, Villa are reluctant to pay transfer fees for others with little sell-on potential, hence their wariness about pursuing Parker.
Rumours Villa are preparing a bid for Tottenham’s Scottish international defender Alan Hutton, who played for McLeish at Rangers, are wide of the mark.
Villa hope left-back Stephen Warnock’s return to the first team fold will free up Luke Young to resume right-back duties with Habib Beye and Eric Lichaj providing cover.
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