Downing to join Reds may see Joe Cole join Aston Villa
Posted on
7/15/11
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Talks between Aston Villa and Liverpool over the transfer of Stewart Downing also included preliminary discussions regarding the future of fellow England midfielder Joe Cole, it is being suggested.
Cole's Liverpool future looks particularly bleak following the news that Downing will move to Anfield in a deal said to be worth up to £20million.
And this comes hot on the heels of Kenny Dalglish shelling a reported £30m on the combined midfield talents of Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam.
The news of another arrival in his position leaves Cole in limbo, paving the way for Villa and the Reds to include the England international playmaker in their thoughts.
n confirming a deal to take Downing up the M6 Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner - who admitted the player had handed in a transfer request - confirmed the club are already lining up alternatives.
'We believe there are replacements available in the market who can strengthen our squad,' he added.
Despite discussing 29-year-old Cole, it is not thought he will move to Villa Park straight away in a swap deal with Downing - preferring to hold talks with his current club's hierarchy first.
However, initial discussions between the clubs over Downing are said to have been 'very amicable' - leaving the way open for a return to the negotiating table at a later date, once Cole's future is decided.
The midfielder only joined the Reds on a four-year contract from Chelsea last summer, having rejected offers from both Spurs and Arsenal.
But he has had little joy on Merseyside through a combination of injury and loss of form.
Coach Dalglish is set for showdown talks with Cole's agent to discuss his plans for the player in the first team next season.
And depending on the result, Cole could find himself surplus to requirements - and therefore free to thrash out terms with Villa, who have already shown a desire to take him to the West Midlands.
Speaking about the Downing deal, Dalglish told the club's official website: 'We have been given permission to speak to the player.
'We will now try to agree personal terms with him, but it will all depend on the medical.
'It is a work in progress and we will see what happens and keep you informed.'
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