Dunne's Aston Villa transfer could still go through

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Louise Thomas

Editor

Aston Villa insist Richard Dunne can still complete a move from Manchester City even though the entire deal appears not to have been finalised by the transfer dead-line.

Villa can continue to try to sign Dunne providing they started formal proceedings to tie up the deal by the 5pm cut-off point.

Dunne has passed a medical and thrashed out personal terms with Villa after the clubs agreed a fee - believed to be £6m - before the weekend.

But the sticking point remains the pay-off Dunne is looking for from City where he still has three years remaining of his current contract.

He would be entitled to a testimonial at Eastlands next summer on completing 10 years with the club.

And it is believed the initial offer made by City fell well short of what Dunne felt was a reasonable figure given the sterling service he has given since his move from Everton in 2000.

One source close to the player claimed: "Richard believes the initial offer he received from Manchester City was not befitting of someone who had given nine years' service."

Villa have already signed West Ham central defender James Collins in a £5m deal.