[goldenHuddlestone]

Aston Villa have made a £7m bid for West Ham captain Nigel Reo-Coker.

The 23 year old handed in a transfer request at Upton Park at the end of the season and boss Alan Curbishley said he would listen to offers of about £8m.

Reo-Coker, who is also the England Under-21 skipper, has also been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle.

West Ham are in discussions with a potential replacement already, as they have agreed a fee with Newcastle over the £8m signing of Scott Parker.

The Hammers also had an offer accepted by Manchester City for Joey Barton, but he's having a medical at Newcastle instead.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill has made it clear that a midfielder is amongst his priorities this summer to play alongside Stiliyan Petrov.

O'Neill is also keeping tabs on the West Brom trio of Jason Koumas, Paul Robinson and Paul McShane.

Reo-Coker joined West Ham from Wimbledon in January 2004 for £500,000.