Source: Telegraph
Aston Villa transfer target Fabian Delph ready for Premier League test
Midfielder Delph attracted the attentions of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, but has become Aston Villa's second major summer signing, in a deal that could be worth up to £8 million – quite a fee for a player never tested at Premier League level.
In truth, it was a fee that Villa were initially reluctant to pay. But just as he did with Ashley Young, who signed from Watford in 2007 for £8m, Martin O'Neill decided that it was a fee worth paying, rather than missing out to one of two rival clubs on signing a player who has gained a reputation as one of the most promising young attacking players in the English game.
O'Neill has a good track record with spotting talented youth players, but on this occasion the player is not exactly an unknown. Not only was Delph, who came through the Elland Road academy, named the Leeds players' player of the year last season, but also the Football League's Young Player of the Year, having been nominated for the League One award. Crowning quite a season, he made his England Under-21 debut in 2008.
He was only awarded his first professional contract on 11 Jan 2008 with Leeds, and he made two appearances for the club in the 2007–08 season, both as a substitute. But he signed a four-year deal with the club in Sept.
His performances in the Leeds first team the following season brought him to the attention of a number of Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Newcastle United and Leeds were forced to reject approaches in Jan from a number of top tier clubs, stating that they were not going to release him for "petty cash".
It was clear that his value would rise significantly, and an impressive showing over the rest of the season has confirmed it. In order to justify his price-tag, the midfielder, who has a preference to play on the left, will be expected to compete for a first team place at Villa from the outset.
