Villa are reportedly closing in on the signing of 30-year-old Montpellier centre-back Emir Spahic. His agent claimed prior to the Blues game that a move should be finalised if Houllier was to stay in a job, which he intimated, hinged on Villa avoiding defeat at St Andrews. Significantly Spahic can be deployed just as effectively as an attacking minded left back which could see Warnock leave the club, most likely in a loan deal to either of his previous clubs, Liverpool or Blackburn. Arsenal came close to agreeing a deal to sign Spahic two years ago but would not raise their offer to meet the £15m valuation. A couple of seasons down the line it appears the Bosnian is available for anything up to £5m. Were he to join he would be the second Bosnian international to sign for a Premier League club in quick succession after compatriot Edin Dzeko signed for Man City in a mega money deal from Wolfsburg. Spahic is captain of the national side, ahead of Dzeko, and has picked up 45 caps, scoring twice. His contract with Montpellier expires in 2014 having joined the club in 2009 from Lokomotiv Moscow. In 16 appearances for Montpellier this season he has netted one goal. He was a mainstay in the Ligue 1 sides defence last term, playing 34 times and scoring twice.
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