Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is seeking Bosman talks with Manchester United defender Wes Brown.

The Mail on Sunday says the 28-year-old full-back has rejected a £55,000-a-week offer at Old Trafford and could leave as a free agent at the end of the season.

O'Neill would not break Villa's pay structure for Brown but if the player was free he could effectively better United's offer with a signing-on fee. The Villa boss is desperate to sign a top-quality right-back to replace Olof Mellberg, who is going to Juventus.