Villa secure Carew in Baros swap
Aston Villa have swapped Milan Baros for Lyon striker John Carew,
who has signed a three-and-a-half year deal. The Baros transfer was
concluded earlier in the day before 27-year-old Norway
international Carew agreed to a move in the opposite
direction.
The former Valencia and Roma forward flew into Birmingham and
sealed his move following a medical on Monday. Watford's Ashley
Young is also expected to sign following his medical after the two
clubs agreed a fee at the weekend.
Carew was believed to have held talks with Werder Bremen regarding
a move to Germany. But the big target man, who had a spell in
Turkey with Besiktas before moving to Lyon, has agreed to test
himself in the Premiership under Martin O'Neill at Villa
Park.
Meanwhile, Lyon coach Gerard Houllier made an inquiry for Czech
Republic international Baros on Friday. The 25-year-old, who played
for Houllier at Liverpool, has one goal in 17 league appearances
this season.
Baros has scored 26 goals in 46 appearances for the Czech national
team. He was top scorer in Euro 2004 but has since struggled to
rekindle that form. However, Houllier said: "I know that he is a
very strong player, a hard worker, who will blend into the
team."
Baros joined Villa on a four-year contract in August 2005 after
dropping to fourth choice behind strikers Djibril Cisse, Fernando
Morientes and Peter Crouch at Liverpool.
He could make his Lyon debut in a French League match against
Bordeaux on Wednesday.
