ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: ASTON VILLA manager Martin O'Neill is optimistic Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne will complete a €6.8 million move within the next 24 hours.
Dunne held talks with O’Neill yesterday morning at Villa after the clubs agreed a fee for the Republic of Ireland international. O’Neill wants to further boost his defensive options after completing the signing of Blackburn left-back Stephen Warnock for around €8 million yesterday.
He said: “He (Dunne) has been here today for talks. As we speak, the deal has not been completed. Normally these days there are quite a lot of issues to be sorted out but overall we have had a good chat. I would be hopeful he will sign for us some time today or tomorrow. I am hopeful but until pen is put to paper we will have to wait.”
O’Neill insists Villa’s shock exit from the Europa League at the hands of Rapid Vienna on Thursday will have no bearing on Dunne’s decision.
He said: “When I spoke to Richard, that didn’t seem to be the case. The truth is if he stays with Manchester City they are also not involved in European football. The Republic of Ireland have some big games ahead with the possibility of a World Cup in the summer and that is a long-term focus for him.”
However, many Manchester City fans will be sad to see the exit of a player who won the club’s player of the year four seasons on the trot, even if, with Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott now playing, there were legitimate reasons for letting Dunne go.
