Vassell close to Man City switch

(News from SoccerWay.com)
MANCHESTER, Jul 26 (SW) - Aston Villa forward Darius Vassell is currently negotiating personal terms with Premiership rivals Manchester City.

Villa has decided to cash in on the player, who has only one-year remaining on his contract, with a reported £2.5 million fee agreed between the two clubs.

Speaking from the club's training base in Sweden, manager David O’Leary has confirmed the likely move by revealing the player has left the Villa camp in order to meet face-to-face with City officials.

“Darius was asked to go back to England and there was no reason to stop him. It all happened very quickly yesterday and we were able to get him on a flight,” said Villa manager O’Leary.

“He's gone back to have a medical and sign for Manchester City. I can't say at the moment what the exact fee is, but I think it's a fee that suits Aston Villa.

When questioned if the sale was a means of raising transfer cash, O’Leary was quick to deny such suggestions.“It's not fair to say that I had to sell Darius to bring in money. That would be totally unfair on the club, this is a good deal,” insisted the former Leeds coach.

“I've got a budget where I have to try and get players in, but that's nothing to do with the Darius deal. “He had a year left on his contract, we've been offered good money by Manchester City, so it suits everybody all round as it stands.

“But who knows - the player could maybe go up there and fail to agree terms, so it's not done yet.”