According to the Express and Star, Liverpool have not made any contact with Aston Villa for midfielder Stiliyan Petrov. Manager Martin O’Neill said,

“Stiliyan has been absolutely fantastic for us in the last couple of years … Please, don’t take this as if I’m inviting offers, I’m not – but I’m not surprised that teams are interested in him.

“It’s exactly what I said about James Milner and, of course, we had an offer … It’s what I said about Ashley Young and a number of players – the next thing people are saying is I’m inviting offers, I’m not doing that.

“I haven’t spoken to (chief executive) Paul (Faulkner) or (chairman) Randy (Lerner) about it, but there’s nothing in the story.

“That doesn’t mean that teams like Liverpool wouldn’t be interested in him though because he’s a top quality player … But no-one from Liverpool has contacted us.”

UPDATE: According to Sky Sports News, Fulham have jumped ahead of Liverpool as the favorites to sign Aston Villa defender Luke Young.

It is reported that the deal with Liverpool fell apart after Young revealed that he does not want to move to Liverpool.

July 28th, 2010 According to ESPN Soccernet, Liverpool have agreed to a deal worth around £2.5million for Aston Villa defender Luke Young. The 31-year-old is reportedly considering whether he wants to make the move to Liverpool.

UPDATE: According to the Birmingham Mail, Nottingham Forest are still interested in Aston Villa defender Nicky Shorey. Nottingham boss Billy Davies said,

“If there is a possibility that we can do something, either on loan or permanently, then until that door closes on us, he remains an option.”

July 6th, 2010: According to the Express and Star, Nicky Shorey does not want to join Nottingham Forest as he would prefer to stay in the Premier League.

July 2nd, 2010 According to the Express & Star, Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Aston Villa defender Nicky Shorey if he is made available. Forest boss Billy Davies said,

“It would be a no brainer for us to look at Nicky if he was available. If he is somebody we could possibly sign, then we have to look at it. He impressed everyone during his loan spell at the club … He fitted in with the players and slotted into the squad perfectly.”

Shorey currently has one year left on his current deal and could cost around £2million.

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UPDATE: According to West Ham United’s official website, West Ham United have rejected a bid from Tottenham for midfielder Scott Parker. West Ham chairman David Sullivan said,

“I made a promise that I would not sell Scott and I will not, for any amount of money, break that promise to the West Ham supporters,” he told the club’s official website.

“Scott is not for sale at any price, to anyone. West Ham supporters, for too long, have had owners that sell their best players and promise one thing and do another.

“This is a new era. We are building a bigger, better West Ham and when we make a promise, we honour it.”

July 26th, 2010: According to Alan Nixon at MirrorFootball, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is interested in signing West Ham midfielder Scott Parker. However it is reported that Tottenham will only offer around £8million.

July 24th, 2010: According to ESPN Soccernet, West Ham United have slapped a £20million price tag on midfielder Scott Parker.

July 12th, 2010 According to the Birmingham Mail, West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker, who has been linked with Aston Villa, could be available at the right price. Co-owner David Gold said,

“If Manchester City pay £50 million for James Milner, Aston Villa then have that £50m and as a commercial entity they are going to want to replace Milner … Scott Parker is probably one of the best players who was not at the World Cup and the price gets accelerated because Aston Villa have that money from Manchester City.

“Scott Parker is not for sale, but what happens if someone offers £200m? It’s a laughable scenario, but who would have thought after all those ‘over my dead bodies’ that Ronaldo would leave Manchester United?

“I believe Scott Parker is our talisman, I have got a picture of him in my office doing something similar to what John Terry did at the World Cup - diving at someone’s feet to head the ball away … Scott is Mr West Ham – we will see where that takes us.”

According to the Express and Star, Sunderland are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland. It is reported that Ireland might be included in the deal with Aston Villa for James Milner, but this new interest from Sunderland could disrupt things a bit.

Sunderland hope to begin formal discussions with Manchester City later this week.

According to Aston Villa’s official website, Aston Villa have held an “amicable conversation” with midfielder James Milner and his representative. A statement was made on the site saying,

He [James Milner] and the manager, along with chief executive Paul Faulkner and the player’s representative, Matthew Buck, had an amicable conversation and, while James will not play in tomorrow’s game at Walsall, he will fly with the squad to Portugal on Wednesday ahead of the Guadiana Cup in which Villa will compete with Benfica and Feyenoord this weekend.

According to Mathew Kendrick at the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill admitted that the club must sell before they can sign any players. O’Neill said,

“We are going to be linked and very obviously, even without wanting to lose players of the calibre of Milner, we would want to try and recruit some players.

“But as the chairman mentioned way back, maybe it is a case of probably having to sell to buy and that is something you would have to be really constructive about. That is something I am building into at the moment.

“I just mentioned we are in a position probably at this moment where we would have to sell to buy … It is not ideal, particularly to try and keep challenging, but if that is the reality of it that is the reality of it. In an ideal world I’d rather keep the players.”

UPDATE: According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the striker that Blackburn are going after is not Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey.

July 23rd, 2010 According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are closing in on signing a new striker. It is reported that the club’s officials have finally decided on pursuing an “unnamed” target and are preparing to table a bid. The club’s transfer budget is thought to be around £2.5million.

UPDATE: According to David McDonnell at MirrorFootball, Manchester City are prepared to make one last and final bid for James Milner worth £24million.

July 22nd, 2010: According to Sky Sports News, Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill admitted that James Milner wants to join Manchester City but the club still have not received fair offer. O’Neill said,

“I had a conversation with James before the World Cup and he intimated that he’d like to go,” said the Villa boss … City made an offer but it did not meet our valuation. I’m sure matters will be resolved soon. James is back next week having had an extended holiday … There is a difference of valuation at this moment between the buying club and the selling club … That may well be resolved and if that is the case then absolutely fine … I think James’ agent has told our chief executive that he wouldn’t be signing a new contract. “

July 11th 2010: According to Steve Millar at the Daily Star Sunday, Manchester City could complete the deal for James Milner within the next 10 days. It is reported that Nedum Onuoha and/or Stephen Ireland could be included in the offer.

July 8th 2010: According to the Express and Star, Manchester City are willing to offer £24million for James Milner but are not willing to match his £30million price tag.

June 28th, 2010 According to David Anderson at MirrorFootball, Manchester City hope to complete the signing of Aston Villa midfielder James Milner soon now that his World Cup is over.

Manchester City reportedly had a £20million offer rejected but are willing to increase their offer to £25million. Aston Villa are set to hold contract talks with Milner to try and persuade him to stay.

UPDATE: According to the Express and Star, Birmingham are prepared to increase their bid to £2million for Nathaniel Clyne.

July 12th, 2010: According to the Express and Star, Birmingham made a second bid of £1.25million for Nathaniel Clyne that was rejected.

June 18th, 2010: According to Colin Tattum at the Birmingham Mail, Birmingham are prepared to make a second offer for the defender Clyne.

June 15th, 2010 According to James Nursey at MirrorFootball, Birmingham are in advanced negotiations with Crystal Palace to sign defender Nathaniel Clyne. Birmingham had an initial bid of of £750,000 rejected by Palace but it is believed that the club is willing to sell Clyne.

Aston Villa are also reportedly targeting the Palace defender.

According to the Express and Star, Aston Villa winger Ashley Young admitted that he is happy at the club and would be interested in extending his current deal with the club. Young said,

UPDATE: According to the Express and Star, Tottenham striker Robbie Keane has been allowed to begin talks with Aston Villa. It is also reported that Fulham are interested in the 30-year-old.

July 2nd, 2010 According to Mathew Kendrick at the Birmingham Mail, Tottenham striker Robbie Keane would not mind making a move to Aston Villa if a deal is worked out. However a deal will probably not happen unless Tottenham lowers their asking price below £10million.

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UPDATE: According to the Express and Star, Celtic manager Neil Lennon admitted that Aiden McGeady wants to leave the club. Lennon said,

“Aiden hasn’t said to me he wants to leave in so many words. But that vibe came from his side of things.”

July 13th, 2010 According to the Express and Star, Aston Villa are interested in signing Celtic winger Aiden McGeady. It is reported that the outcome of the situation with Manchester City and James Milner could affect whether Aston Villa goes after the 24-year-old or not.

According to Stuart Brennan at the Manchester Evening News, Manchester City’s new signings and possible future signings could lead to the departure of several players, particularly midfielder Stephen Ireland. It is even reported that City may offer Ireland in a deal for Aston Villa winger James Milner.

Jo, Felipe Caicedo, Kelvin Etuhu, Valeri Bojinov, Nedum Onuoha, and Micah Richards are all players who might be on the way out as well.

Last of course is the future of Robinho, which should be settled when his loan deal with Santos expires in August.

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According to Sky Sports News, Aston Villa are interested in signing Jeju United defender Cho Yong-hyung, who is expected to leave his club when he returns from the World Cup. His agent Yoon Ki-yeon told The Korea Herald,

“Aston Villa and a few other European clubs have shown interest … I can confirm that he is on their transfer list and I expect the official deal will be made after the World Cup.”

UPDATE: According to Coventry City’s official website, Coventry City have agreed to sign O’Halloran to a one-year deal when his contract ends at the end of the month. The deal of course won’t be official until his contract expires.

June 23rd, 2010 According to the Birmingham Mail, Coventry City have agreed to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Stephen O’Halloran on a free transfer. The 22-year-old has agreed to a one-year deal and he should be unveiled on Thursday.

UPDATE: According to Bolton’s official website, Bolton have agreed to terms with winger Martin Petrov. Petrov will join the club on July 1st when he becomes a free agent.

June 21st, 2010: According to Liam Chronnell at The Bolton News, Bolton are on the verge of signing Petrov and hope to complete the deal in the next 24 hours.

June 19th, 2010 According to the Sky Sports News, Bolton are leading the way for midfielder Martin Petrov who is available on a free transfer after being released by Manchester City. It is reported that Petrov is set to undergo a medical for the club although the two parties are not close to a deal.

Everton, Aston Villa, and West Ham United are all thought to be interested in Petrov as well.

According to the Express and Star, Aston Villa are not going after Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey. Frey’s agent Giovanni Branchini said,

“It is usually media speculation … Someone invents something and it is reported somewhere else, almost becoming truth.”

“Neither Fiorentina nor I have been contacted by Aston Villa. Sebastian has repeatedly stated that he is happy with Fiorentina. In every marriage there is some discussion, then there is clarification and you go along.”

UPDATE: According to Mathew Kendrick at the Birmingham Mail, Steve Sidwell will not make a decision on moving to Fulham until it is decided whether manager Roy Hodgson will stay or go to Liverpool.

It is also reported that Villa would like get around £3million for Sidwell.

June 18th, 2010 According to Sky Sports News, Fulham have made a bid for Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell. Sunderland and West Ham are both thought to be interested in Sidwell as well but have not made any bids.

According to Christopher Lepkowski at the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are greatly interested in Sporting Braga defender Evaldo. The reports in Portugal are indicating that Villa are leading the race for the 28-year-old.