City 'in for winger'

Manchester City are the latest club being linked with a bid for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young this summer.

Reports claim the England international, who joined Villa from Watford for £9.75million in January 2007, is wanted by the Premier League big guns Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. And it is thought City will now test the water and possibly spark an auction with an initial offer of around £18m.

It is claimed Villa have already revealed that £24m would not be enough to lure Young away from Villa Park, despite the player's position being called into question following Stewart Downing's arrival from Middlesbrough in a deal worth £12m. However, boss Martin O'Neill claims, as yet, no bids have been forthcoming for the player.

He said: "There have been a lot of stories about Ashley - and that's what they are - stories.

"The last time I spoke to Ashley and his agent none of this was at the forefront.

"I read these articles about different clubs coming in for him.

"No-one has come in and asked us about Ashley Young and I have got to tell you, if they did they would get short shrift."



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