Villa set to pip rivals for Fabian Delph?

The race for Fabian Delph’s signature seems to have stepped up in the last few hours with Aston Villa currently looking set to sign the Leeds youngster according to Leeds’ site:

Leeds United can confirm that a fee has been agreed with Aston Villa for Fabian Delph.

Leeds United wishes to place on record our appreciation for the honourable manner in which Aston Villa have conducted their interest in the player.

The club has resisted approaches from other FA Premier League clubs since agreeing terms with Aston Villa.

Having given Villa our commitment to transfer the player (subject to medical), we had no intention of going back on that.

Several clubs including City, Everton, Villa and Spurs have been monitoring Delph for some time and Leeds were reported to have recently rejected bids from a pair of Premier League clubs. City’s interest was confirmed over the weekend by Hughes stating “He is a young player who has been brought to our attention, I’m not sure where we are up to with that because obviously I have been busy with the game [against Barnsley]”.

The Mail among others had us set to offer £10m, but this only seems to have spurred Villa into action, with The Mail now claiming Villa to have agreed an £8m fee.

With the statement on Leeds web site confirming that Villa are now in an exclusive position to discuss terms with the youngster it looks like Delph could be one to get away.

I can’t help feeling that if we really wanted him we would have made our move earlier, however it is unlike Hughes to comment on a player unless we’re set to make a serious bid for them.

My feeling is that Martin O’Neill could well convince the youngster to sign for Villa with a promise of more first team action than he would be likely to get at Eastlands, even if we could offer higher wages.

Video:
Fabian Delph goals 08/09