Accroding to a Belgian report who someone on Villatalk has translated we are atill favourites for Steven Defour.
Villa target still ?
the text of the report is
I’ve reached all the goals I aimed for at Standard, for my career it’s for the best i gather some expierience abroad. It is now time to move on.
Aston Villa is favourite, but the question is whether the club can afford the transfer fee. Strong man Luciano D’Onofrio will only agree for his players to leave when he recieves an offer close to Fellaini’s, who moved for € 20M to Everton.
Defour still has a contract running at sclessin (Standard) until 2013. In his 3 seasons at Standard he won 2 titles and the golden boot
He is my number one target but clearly he would take a huge amount of our budget and we need a few players.
EDIT – 17th June 14:30
Defour’s agent on various sources now on record as saying and it could not be clearer
“There has been a lot of interest, but Standard have yet to receive any official bids,” Stefani told Nieuwsblad.
“Aston Villa and Liverpool are great clubs where Steven would certainly enjoy playing.
“Would Standard let him go? Everything depends on the offer. Manchester United said Cristiano would not be sold
Aston Villa News 24/7
I’m praying that he still prefers us now that it looks like Liverpool might be okay financially for a while (and could be selling a few midfielders). We desperately need a player like Dafour – someone who is creative and most importantly, good in possession. We lose the ball far too often in midfield.