Soccer: Aston Villa have stepped up their interest in Winger winger Charles N'Zogbia by submitting a €11.3 million bid.
Villa manager Alex McLeish considers France international N'Zogbia his number one target to replace Liverpool-bound Stewart Downing.
The club have ample funds available with the sale of Ashley Young to Manchester United and Downing - if his move to Anfield goes through - raising €40.8 million this summer.
McLeish is a long-term admirer of N'Zogbia who has one year remaining on his current deal with the Latics. But he will take nothing for granted after the events of last year.
McLeish came close to signing the former Newcastle man at Birmingham 12 months ago only for the move to break down over personal terms at the 11th hour.
Manchester City's Shaun Wright-Phillips and Spartak Moscow's Ireland winger Aiden McGeady are also on McLeish's radar should he fail to land N'Zogbia.
Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given is expected to sign in a €4 million deal, once he has negotiated a settlement on the remainder of his Man City contract, as a replacement for Brad Friedel.
In the midfield department, McLeish is interested in West Ham's Scott Parker although suggestions a formal bid has already been made are wide of the mark.
PA
