Aston Villa are lining up an offer for West Brom midfielder Jason Koumas.

O'Neill and his chief scout Ian Storey-Moore watched the Welsh international on several occasions last season.

The Baggies have already rejected a joint bid of £5million from Birmingham for Koumas and 23-goal leading scorer Diomansy Kamara.

But O'Neill is understood to be prepared to allow one or more of his fringe players - possibly central defender Gary Cahill and midfielder Isaiah Osbourne - join Albion on loan as part of the deal.