Republic of Ireland international Richard Dunne would welcome Stephen Ireland to Aston Villa if his time at Manchester City comes to an end this summer. The defender made the same move last summer and feels Ireland would be a success at Villa Park.
Speaking as he launched the Football Association of Ireland’s Goal to Work programme in Kilinarden today, Dunne said: “He had a bit of a stop and start season last year after the previous season, when he was unbelievable.
“I think Stephen would say himself that he wants to get more games and play more regularly, and if that’s not at Manchester City, he would be more than welcome at Villa.
“Everyone in the Premier League knows on his day how good he can be, and he would be a great addition to any side.”
After a season in which he has found himself increasingly sidelined by new manager Roberto Mancini, Ireland has decided his future lies away from Eastlands and handed in a transfer request.
Ireland, who played just one full match since the end of January following a series of injuries and a dramatic loss of form, has made no secret of his dissatisfaction under the Italian.
Earlier this month he voiced his “frustration” at the lack of first team opportunities presented to him since Mancini took charge.
Mancini responded by suggesting the volatile 23-year-old needed to “change his head” if he hoped to resurrect his career at City. Ireland, it would seem, is more inclined to change his club.
Mancini, however, is belived to be contemplating an offer for Dunne's clubmate James Milner, but the Tallaght-man believes the England midfielder might not enjoy the status he enjoys at Villa were he to move.
"Manchester City is a really big club now, but I suppose the problem they will have is they will have a lot of top players - £20million is nothing to them," said Dunne.
"It's just another player really, so it's whether you are going to get enough game time.
"But I am sure with James, he is a very, very sensible fella and very clever, so he will make his own decision."
Mancini, however, says he is not pursuing Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik. Reports in Italy claimed City were keen to acquire the 22-year-old Slovakia international, who has also been a reported target of Chelsea and Manchester United.
"Hamsik is not part of Manchester City's plans," Mancini said today.
Hamsik scored 12 goals in 37 league appearances for Napoli last season. He joined Napoli in the summer of 2007 and is under contract until June 2012.