Tuncay Sanli offered exit from Middlesbrough by Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is ready to make a surprise £5million move Middlesbrough's talented Turk Tuncay Sanli - and pick up his £65,000-a-week wages.

Villa have taken a big interest in Tuncay since Boro secretly tipped off rivals that he was available for sale as part of an attempt to bring in around £17m from unwanted men.

Tuncay can play in several roles and would be a major asset for Villa, who are reeling from the loss of skipper Gareth Barry and have yet to land the targets that they want to boost their small squad.

O'Neill is keen on the unpredictable skills of Tuncay who would bring some missing magic into his attacking options and Boro hope that the deal can be wrapped up quickly to let them make signings of their own.

Tuncay's wages have put off most clubs and he is seen by many as a 'luxury' but O'Neill admires his variety and knows he has space in his squad for a wild card who can play several roles.

Boro are also in discussions with Portuguese giants about a deal for Brazilian flop Afonso Alves who will be allowed to go for as little as £4 million after his big-money nightmare switch 18 months ago.

Boss Gareth Southgate is willing to trade Alves and Tuncay but still needs to raise other funds by squeezing out Mido, Jeremie Aliadiere and Gary O'Neil who have all been offered to other clubs in the past week.

Mido, back from a loan spell at Wigan, can go out for a season for a £1 million rental while Aliadriere's price is £2 million. O'Neil - on high wages - is another who will be sacrificed.

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