Transfer news: Norwich City rule out Aston Villa switch as Wes Hoolahan is involved in foul-mouthed rant, unnamed club join the race

Hoolahan forced to stay as Norwich refuse to sanction his move to Aston Villa

Samuel Stevens
Friday 31 January 2014 11:34 GMT
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Wes Hoolahan
Wes Hoolahan (GETTY IMAGES)

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Wes Hoolahan's projected move to Aston Villa is now off after Norwich City reacted furiously to his expletive-laden rant at the club's transfer policy - but another Premier League club are believed to have made an offer this afternoon.

It is unclear as of yet who the mystery bidders are.

Villa boss Paul Lambert had hoped to take his former player to the Midlands but - according to reports - the Canneries were so outraged by the 31-year-old's dissent that they would prefer to punish him by keeping him against his will.

The midfielder was filmed by a TV crew at Norwich’s training ground who jokingly asked if he was going to be clearing out his locker and the Daily Star report that he stunned onlookers by replying: “I hope so. This is a f****** s******* club.”

The East Anglia club have since held a number of meetings to discuss the player's future, with Villa remaining interested, but it now seems more likely that Hoolahan will be forced to wilt in the reserves.

Canaries boss Chris Hughton later said: “I’m not aware of that so it’s something I will have to investigate.

“I will decide whether or not he will be in the squad for Saturday’s game at Cardiff.

“This is an unsettling time for players in his situation. But it’s not the first time we have had to deal with an unsettled player and it won’t be the last.

“But whether or not a player leaves depends on if the club wants to keep him and at the moment Wes Hoolahan is very much a Norwich player.”

Villa boss Lambert is quietly optimistic that a deal could yet be struck, but isn't desperate to do business.

“Some happen - some don’t. I’m happy enough with what I’ve got, so we’ll just have to see.

“I’m not a fan of this window because it does make people panic and pay over the odds.”

Who are Premier League clubs looking at on deadline day?

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