O'Neill confirms Juve approach
Villa boss hopes to keep defender
By Peter Fraser Last updated: 11th January 2008
Premier League Football
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed for the first time that Juventus have shown an interest in signing Olof Mellberg.
The Swedish defender has been rumoured to be a long-term target of Juventus and there has been fresh speculation that Mellberg has held contract discussions with the Italian giants.
Mellberg's current deal with Villa expires in the summer, meaning he could sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in the transfer window, and O'Neill has confirmed that Juventus have asked for permission to speak to the 30-year-old.
"Juventus have sent a letter through saying they want to speak to Olof," said O'Neill.
Intentions
"It is their prerogative. I am not even sure that they have to do that but at least they have made their intentions clear. They are well within their rights to do so.
"Olof has been here seven years. He has earned the right to do this. He wants to have a wee look around and it might not be anything to do with money. It might be an environmental thing.
"If someone like Juventus have shown an interest, and within six months of your contract running out, I think you have to explore every avenue.
"I don't plague him every single day about these things. I just let him get on with it and he might come around to formulating some idea in his head of what he wants to do."
Commitment
O'Neill, though, insists that he will not stop playing Mellberg if he agrees a contract with Juventus.
"Olof's commitment has been excellent and even if he decides to go in the summer, I would have no qualms about continuing to play him or if he signed a pre-contract," O'Neill added.
"I am not going to rush him and he knows at the end of it all, he has done well enough to earn himself another contract here."
O'Neill is also hopeful he will be able to make an announcement next week regarding the future of Martin Laursen, who is also out of contract at the end of the season, after holding talks with the Danish defender.
"We had some pretty reasonably good conversations and I think I'll be able to give you some news on that by the middle of next week," O'Neill concluded.
skysports.com
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It seems that Melberg is the only sure approaching on transfer list.