Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is looming as Liverpool's prime target for the summer transfer market. Liverpool made a last-minute effort to sign the Aston Villa forward on the final day of January's transfer window, but Villa were unwilling to sell. However, Villa's hopes of tying Young down to a club-record £80,000 weekly contract evaporated when he announced that he will not extend his contract, says the Telegraph.
Villa are hoping to attach a £20m price tag to Young, who has notched up eight goals and eight assists for Villa this season, but their position is weakened by the fact that his contract expires at the end of next season, at which point he could depart for free.
Kenny Dalglish, Liverpool's caretaker manager, who is currently negotiating an extension to his own contract, believes that Young's creativity would help bring the best out of new signing Andy Carroll, but he will face tough competition for his signature.
Tottenham are looking to bolster their own Premiership credentials and Manchester United are hoping to recruit a creative midfielder this summer.
