Source: Team_Talk
No Gunners bid for Stew - Villa
Aston Villa are not understood to have received any bid from Arsenal for winger Stewart Downing and remain determined to keep the player.[LNB] The Gunners are reported to have joined Liverpool in the race to sign Downing, who made it clear when on England duty last month that he will not be signing a new contract with Villa.[LNB]But sources close to the Midlands club insist any possible interest has not been firmed up so far and new manager Alex McLeish wants to keep the former Middlesbrough player.[LNB]Villa have already rejected bids of £12million and £15million from Liverpool for Downing, who has two years remaining of his current contract.[LNB]If Villa find they are eventually left with no option but to sell Downing, then they will hold out for their original valuation of £19million.[LNB]Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia has been linked with Villa as a possible replacement should Downing leave.[LNB]McLeish came close to signing N'Zogbia last summer when in charge of Birmingham before a change in his wage demands ended hopes of the deal being completed.[LNB]Villa are also monitoring West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, although no bid has been made.[LNB]But the club finally expect the signing of Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given to go through at some stage this week in a £3.5million deal.
