Dinamo Zagreb winger Mario Mandzukic has attracted the interest of Premier League club Aston Villa.
The 24-year old Croatian international is being tracked by clubs across Europe and Aston Villa the latest to step up their pursuit.
It is said that Martin O’Neill sent scouts to check on Mandzukic, who is also a key target for German club Wolfsburg.
Aston Villa is said to be ready to offer Dinamo Zagreb around the region of £8million for the player.
However it is said that O’Neill will need to offload midfielders Nigel Reo-Coker, Steve Sidwell or Luke Young before he can afford Mandzukic but reports suggest that at least one of those players will depart Villa Park.