Aston Villa’s new manager Alex McLeish given £40m in transfer funds and targets Scott Dann – report

EPL ; Alex McLeish – Gerard Houllier, Birmingham City v Aston Villa(Getty Images)

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New Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has apparently been handed £40 million in transfer funds to help him strengthen the Villans’ squad for the coming season.

The News of the World reports that McLeish is looking to make Birmingham City defender Scott Dann his first signing, something that would anger fans of his former club.

McLeish has been charged with restoring the Second City outfit to the top six of the Premier League, while also affirming the club’s stance that Stewart Downing is not for sale. He could even block Ashley Young’s proposed £16m move to Manchester United, but this seems unlikely.

McLeish has reportedly been told that he must find £15m to secure Dann’s signature, although competition from Stoke, Liverpool and Arsenal could well force the price higher.  Stoke have apparently already bid £12 million for Dann’s services, so competition looks set to be fierce.

Meanwhile, Peter Grant, McLeish’s assistant, has apparently been trying to convince midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker to come back to Villa Park after being released last week, while McLeish has reportedly also received death threats.

Former Villa and England manager Graham Taylor warned:  “Alex will need private protection as the rivalry between Villa and Birmingham is very fierce.

“More than a dozen people are against him, I can tell you. I still live in the West Midlands and the fans are very open with me.

“They’re asking ‘Does Randy Lerner know which club he’s chairman of? What is he doing to us?'”