O'Leary admits to Izzet interest

David O’Leary has confirmed Aston Villa’s interest in signing Leicester midfielder Muzzy Izzet – but is pessimistic about tying up a deal during the current transfer window.

Villa chairman Doug Ellis made contact with the Foxes about the possibility of landing the services of Izzet whose current deal expires at the end of the season.

But Leicester manager Micky Adams has made it clear that he wants Izzet to stay with the club and be part of their battle to stave off relegation from the Premiership even if it means risking losing his services for nothing in June.

Villa had been close to signing Izzet for around £6million two and a quarter years ago during John Gregory’s reign as manager when top of the Premiership for a short spell – only for Ellis to block that deal.

Any transfer fee involved now would be a fraction of that price and Adams will not even consider parting with Izzet unless a realistic bid is placed on the table for his most creative force in the centre of the park.

O’Leary said: “The chairman has made an enquiry about Muzzy Izzet to Leicester and about his contract, the fact that he is on a free transfer at the end of the season and whether we could do something now.

“But that’s as much as I know. The conversation happened a few weeks ago and what I can gather Muzzy is not leaving Leicester, that he would be there until the end of the season. I have taken Micky Adams’ word on the situation.”

Adams confirmed Blackburn have also made an enquiry about Izzet, who has been at the club nearly eight years after becoming one of Martin O’Neill’s first signings when he lured the player from Chelsea.