Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is also ready to swoop for Fulham centre-half Brede Hangelaand.

The Norwegian, 28, has turned down a new deal at Craven Cottage, worth around £30,000 a week.

O'Neill is set to bid £9m and offer the player £45,000 a week as a replacement for Martin Laursen, who was forced into retirement by a chronic knee injury, says The Sun.