O'Neill lines up Koumas bid

O'Neill and chief scout Ian Storey-Moore watched the Welsh international on several occasions last season and with the Baggies failing to secure promotion in the playoffs, Koumas is thought to be seeking an exit. Birmingham had a hopeful £5m bid for Koumas and 23-goal leading scorer Diomansy Kamara, though O'Neill is understood to be prepared to the likes of Gary Cahill and Isaiah Osbourne to join Albion on loan as part of the deal.

Osbourne is highly regarded by O'Neill but is a player for the future and the expected arrival of Nigel Reo-Coker from West Ham would see him slip back down the pecking order having momentarily risen following Gavin McCann's departure. O'Neill is hoping to conclude the Reo-Coker deal before Villa report back for pre-season training on July 4 if they can reach a compromise with West Ham over the fee - which is £5m at the moment.