Ashton next to join Villans?

According to report in the Mirror, Martin O’ Neill is about to raise his bid to bring West Ham’s Dean Ashton to Villa Park.

Although the Villa boss has already spent over £40 million on eight new players this summer, the latest recruit being James Milner from Newcastle United, he is reportedly willing to splash out more than £12 million more to land the England international striker.

O’Neill has already had a bid of £12 million rejected by West Ham. However, in a bid to lower their wage bill, having already let go of Bobby Zamora, John Pantsil, Anton Ferdinand and Freddie Ljungberg, the Hammers might be tempted to loosen their grip on the 24-year old with the improved bid.

Ashton has indicated that he would only want to leave Upton Park if one of the Big Four came calling, but with West Ham’s financial problems and Villa’s potentially playing in the UEFA Cup this season the striker may well reconsider his stance.

[Source: The Mirror]