O'Neill will not consider bids for winger Young

SOCCER NEWS ROUND-UP:MARTIN O'NEILL last night moved to end the speculation surrounding Ashley Young's future by insisting that not even a €58 million bid would prise the England international from Aston Villa this summer.

Young has been linked with moves to Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Liverpool and Barcelona, but O’Neill believes that the 24-year-old could not be at a better club for his development and claimed that Randy Lerner, the Villa chairman, would not countenance selling the winger.

“There are loads of teams that would want Ashley Young, top continental sides that would want him,” said O’Neill, whose side take on Malaga in the Peace Cup tonight. “And Ashley Young, with a bit of luck, has a fantastic future ahead of him. But he’s absolutely at the right club at this moment.

“Since he’s joined us he’s been one of the major reasons we’ve finished in the position we have done the last couple of seasons. But I couldn’t be more strong on this. He’s not going anywhere. And the teams that I’ve noticed that have been linked with him couldn’t buy him.

“If somebody came in with £30 million, £40m or £50m? I wouldn’t do it. I’m not in overall charge obviously and it would be up to Randy but the last time I spoke to Randy he wasn’t entertaining anything at any price.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has agreed personal terms with Barcelona as he edges ever closer to joining the European champions from Inter Milan.

Barca had previously had an offer of €45 million and Samuel Eto’o in exchange for the Sweden striker accepted by Inter but it was feared the deal could collapse over the players’ respective wage demands.

Barca midfielder Alexander Hleb is also due to join Inter on loan, although he today cast doubt on his part of the deal.

Eto’o successfully concluded negotiations with Inter yesterday and now Ibrahimovic has followed suit after flying to Europe from the United States, where Jose Mourinho’s side are currently on tour.

Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain told Barca TV: “We have a principle agreement with the player and with Inter and the relevant documentation is now being prepared.”

Guardian Service