McLeish chasing £10m N'Zogbia

Aston Villa have stepped up their interest in Wigan's Charles N'Zogbia with a £10m bid. Manager Alex McLeish rates the France winger his top target to replace the Liverpool-bound Stewart Downing.

McLeish has long admired N'Zogbia, who has a year left on his deal with the Latics, but will take nothing for granted after trying to sign him for Birmingham last year only for the move to break down over personal terms.

Manchester City keeper Shay Given is expected to sign in a £3.5m deal, once he has negotiated a settlement on the remainder of his contract, as a replacement for Brad Friedel.