Monday Dec 10 2007 11:30
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is refusing to give up hope of persuading defender Olof Mellberg to remain at the club.
The Sweden international is out of contract at Villa Park in the summer and has been linked with a free transfer move to Juventus at the end of the season.
However, O'Neill remains hopeful the former Racing Santander centre-half will extend his seven-year spell with the Midlands club.
"I don't know if there is anything in the Juventus link and Olof will tell me in his own time if that is the case. Players are free to make decisions here," he said.
"This is an important contract for Olof. He has been here seven years and, in term of the commitment he has given since I've been here, I couldn't ask any more.
"He has played out of position for most of this season at right-back and just got on with it. He might think a lot of things. He might think that seven years is a long time at one club in this day and age.
"But I will still think, if we can come up with something which is reasonably suitable, that he might stay at Villa. But if he chooses to go, all he has to do is just let me know.
"We have been to-ing and fro-ing and I can understand this is an important decision for him. You have to look at a few things and it is likewise for players."
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