Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is lining up a
£5million cash plus player bid for West Brom play-maker Jason
Koumas.
O'Neill and his chief scout Ian Storey-Moore watched the Welsh
international on several occasions last season.
Koumas has stated his desire to return to the Premier League after
Albion failed to gain promotion from the Championship at the first
attempt.
The Baggies have already rejected a joint bid of £5million from
Birmingham for Koumas and 23-goal leading scorer Diomansy
Kamara.
But O'Neill is understood to be prepared to allow one or more of
his fringe players - possibly central defender Gary Cahill and
midfielder Isaiah Osbourne - join Albion on loan as part of the
deal.
Both players figured in the first-team squad last season at Villa
but may struggle to play a prominent part in 2007-08 if the
expected influx of signings arrives at Villa Park.
Cahill lost his place to Martin Laursen once the Dane gained full
fitness after his knee problems and he formed a solid partnership
with Olof Mellberg.
Osbourne is highly regarded by O'Neill but is more a player for the
future and the expected arrival of Nigel Reo-Coker from West Ham
would see him slip further down the pecking order.
O'Neill is hoping to conclude the Reo-Coker deal before Villa
report back for pre-season training on July 4 - if they can reach a
compromise with West Ham over the fee for the England Under-21
captain.
