Filed under: Aston Villa, Liverpool, Premier League, Football, Transfer News
It appears that Aston Villa have held off the red hordes for now. But it seems that it is a case of when, not if, Stewart Downing leaves for Liverpool.Villa rejected on Wednesday morning a £15 million bid from Anfield for their winger, who has hinted that his career, both at club and international level, is stalling in the west Midlands.
Alex McLeish's club are reported to be holding out for £20 million - and will most probably get it. The fact Villa have politely told Liverpool that their offer does not meet their valuation is the first stage in a process which will inevitably result in the player moving on.
Even after a spell of to-ing and fro-ing, the deal is likely to be completed before Liverpool even return from their pre-season tour to Asia. The horse-trading began two weeks ago, when the Anfield club bid £12 million, which is what Aston Villa paid Middlesbrough for the player in 2009.
While the likely move will greatly please Downing himself, after he said last season was "disappointing" for the club, it is likely to turn even more Aston Villa fans against the club's hierarchy.
Not only have they hired McLeish from relegated arch-rivals Birmingham, they also let Ashley Young leave for Manchester United without putting up any fight whatsoever.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are determined to make good on their promises to bring in players they hope will improve on last season's sixth-place finish. They have already spent up to £20 million bringing in Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and manager Kenny Dalglish is not ready to end the shopping spree just yet.
Downing, according to the Daily Mirror newspaper, will go to McLeish and express his desire to move on with his career - and will ask his manager to help sanction a move away from the club.
But the fact he has two years left on his contract and is one of England's form players means Villa believe they are well within their rights to hold out for a far higher price than has been offered.
Hernderson aside, Dalglish has been frustrated by his failure to land his summer targets, after being linked with Connor Wickham, Young and Phil Jones. And he has told the club's owners that Downing remains a high priority.
All of which indicates that the Reds will not give up on the winger without a tussle and an already dismal summer may get worse for Villa fans.
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