Villa close on Euro targets
09 Jun 2007 - 16:22:35
Aston Villa are reportedly keen on Hamburg midfielder Nigel de Jong, but in the meantime are close to concluding a treble swoop to sign three highly-rated continental prospects.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been linked with a move for Holland international de Jong, who joined the Bundesliga club from Ajax 18 months ago.
Meanwhile, Villa have confirmed negotiations are ongoing to bring Austrian duo Andreas Weinann and Dominic Hoffbaur to the club, plus Swedish youngster Pontus Jonsson is set for a trial.
Weinann is a striker with Rapid Vienna, while Hoffbaur and Jonsson are midfielders from Sturm Graz and Malmo respectively.
"Negotiations are ongoing with Rapid Vienna for Andreas, but he will definitely be joining us," academy director Bryan Jones told the club's official website.
"Dominic is coming across in July. The fees for both Austrian players are yet to be decided as discussions are ongoing.
"They both came across for trials for us to have a look at them and Weinann in particular looked impressive.
"As for Pontus, our contact has been tracking for a number of months and we're interested in inviting him across.
"He's a six-foot plus midfielder and the reports we have on him are very positive."
