Aston Villa manager John Gregory has finally given up hope of signing Leicester City's £8m-rated midfielder Muzzy Izzet. Gregory has been told by his board of directors that there is no chance of him being given any money to strengthen his squad. The transfer-listed Izzet was a prime target for Gregory, who is desperate to add depth and extra quality to his squad which is among the smallest in the Premiership, and injuries to key players like Mustapha Hadji, Hassan Kachloul and Mark Delaney has reduced Gregory's options even further.
A disappointed Gregory confirmed that he would not be pursing Izzet in the foreseeable future. "Izzet is a very good player and is someone I made an inquiry for a few weeks ago. He has put his head on the block by requesting to go on the transfer list and, by saying he wants to leave, he is now openly trying to attract another club. But I've been told in no uncertain terms that I've got no money to spend - so that's the end of it as far as I am concerned," he said.
"There are other clubs in the Premiership that have gone into debt and borrowed money to purchase players in the transfer market but we're not prepared to take that route. You get a bit frustrated but if that's the rules we have to play by, then that's the rules. I can't argue against it. I can only do what I'm allowed to do and I'm not allowed to spend anymore money unless I can create some," he added.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
