Holt move may signal Agbonlahor exit

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill could make a summer bid for Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor, who could leave if Grant Holt joins.

O'Neill knows Agbonlahor well from their time together at Villa Park and believes he could be available for transfer if new Villa chief Paul Lambert signs Holt from his old club Norwich. West Ham are also keen on Holt but the 31-year-old is said to favour a move to Villa to again team up with Lambert and, if a deal goes through, then Agbonlahor is likely to be surplus to requirements. That has apparently alerted Black Cats boss O'Neill, who got the best out of the England international during his tenure in the West Midlands. The 25-year-old managed double figures in terms of goals in three successive seasons under O'Neill, but has struggled since his exit and has only struck eight times in two seasons. It is thought Agbonlahor would be keen on a move to the north east if the package was right and he would welcome working under O'Neill again.