Aston Villa Summer Transfer News: Tracking Latest Rumours, Updates

The English Premier League 2012-13 season is over, but transfer season has only just begun.

Over the next few months dozens of players will be linked in and out of every club, and here to help you keep track of it is Bleacher Report's transfer tracker.

Here, we track the rumoured ins and outs at Aston Villa, so check back periodically for all the latest gossip.

----LAST UPDATE: FRI JUN 14---

Jores Okore, Leandro Bacuna in

Thursday was manic at Villa Park.

The club secured two new signings just hours apart, both young, hungry stars who fit the Paul Lambert profile perfectly.

First was Jores Okore, a Danish central defender whose acquisition left many fan bases pining—he'd excelled in the Champions League against Chelsea this season and declined a move to Stamford Bridge in January.

Second was Leandro Bacuna, a little-known Dutch U-21 international who can play in a multitude of positions and injects great energy into the game.

Both deals were confirmed by Aston Villa's official website.

Nicklas Helenius to Sign?

Early business is something Villa fans have been striving for longer than many can remember, and finally they get their wish.

Nicklas Helenius is to travel to Aston Villa, with the club negotiating a fee with Aalborg. The Dane is a striker, and appears a replacement for Darren Bent. The news was announced on Villa's official website.

Labels of "the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic" are probably premature, but his 16 goals last season displayed an almighty range of skill.

Andi Weimann Commits

Fresh off the heels of Nathan Baker's new deal, Andi Weimann has signed an extension.

The Austrian won reams of fans for his hardworking nature and tireless displays last season, and with just 12 months to run on his current deal, bigger clubs had taken note.

But the striker, as per Aston Villa's official website, has inked a few more years in Birmingham.

Nathan Baker Commits

Steely defender Nathan Baker has signed a contract extension (and pay rise) to pledge his allegiance to Paul Lambert's youth movement at the club.

He made more than 25 appearances this season, sharing his time between centre-back and left-back, and impressed greatly for his old-school, no-nonsense style.

The deal was reported on Aston Villa's official website.

Aleksandar Tonev Signs

According to the club's official website, Aleksandar Tonev has become Aston Villa's first signing this summer.

The Bulgarian, influenced by national hero Stiliyan Petrov's time at the organisation, was eager to join after spending the last few seasons at Polish club Lech Poznan.

He's a dual-footed winger who's quick, exciting and dangerous on either flank.

Jermain Defoe/Christian Benteke Swap

According to Darren Lewis of The Mirror, Tottenham are proposing a swap deal involving Jermain Defoe plus cash for Christian Benteke.

The fee alongside wasn't confirmed, but it's going to have be a mammoth sum to get Villa to take the plunge of Defoe's expensive wages.

Not a single soul on the planet expects this one to happen.

Younes Belhanda, Jores Okore In?

Danish newspaper Sporten.dk have reported that Aston Villa have had a £3 million bid rejected for central defender Jores Okore.

The Ivory Coast-born Denmark international is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe, and the article suggests Villa will return with a higher bid.

There's also talk of Younes Belhand arriving—Sky Sports are running the story that Villa want him and he wants English Premier League.

The Montpellier playmaker would be a monumental coup.

Tonev Could Be In, but No Austin or Gayle

According to Mat Kendrick of The Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa have shown considerable interest in signing Aleksandar Tonev of Lech Poznan.

The attacking midfielder, who can play in any position across the advanced midfield line, is also being monitored by Celtic after a recommendation from Stiliyan Petrov.

In the same report, the club confirmed that no concrete interest has been shown in Charlie Austin or Dwight Gayle—two lower-league strikers linked to the club.

Conflicting Benteke Translations, £4.5 Million Left-Back

While away on international duty, Christian Benteke spoke to Belgian newspaper Nieuwsbald and is quoted saying he would not accept being forced to stay at Aston Villa this summer.

Later in the interview he admitted he'd be happy to spend another season at Villa and he enjoys the trust his current side have placed in him, but media outlets have spun the unfavourable angle from the club's point of view.

Turning to incomings, Aaron Cresswell of Ipswich Town was a target last summer and remains an option now. The Birmingham Mail believe Paul Lambert could be set to offer £4.5 million for the left-back.

Shay Given to Ask for £5 Million Payoff

Shay Given had a season to forget at Aston Villa and is now looking to leave the club.

He was displaced by the excellent Brad Guzan for the third league game of the season following an error against Everton, and the U.S. stopper never looked back.

With three years remaining on a circa £50,000-per-week contract, Villa want out and Given wants out. The Birmingham Mail are reporting that the Irishman, 37, will seek a £5 million termination of his deal.

Christian Benteke in Talks over New Deal

Christian Benteke is a wanted man.

Coming off a 19-league-goal season, the Belgian has quickly established himself as one of the best strikers in the English Premier League.

It's said there are up to five big clubs jostling for his signature, but Aston Villa fans will be relieved to hear Paul Lambert has already started negotiations on a new deal.

The Birmingham Mail suggest it's the No. 1 priority for Villa this summer and look set to offer a double-your-money deal to ward off suitors.

Andi Weimann to Commit to Villa?

Andi Weimann has been a key cog in the youthful Aston Villa side that avoided relegation.

His incredible work ethic and never-say-die attitude has endeared him to the Villa faithful, but with a year left on his contract fans are worried he'll leave this summer.

It was clear that Weimann's agent had instructed him to await the outcome of the season, and now the Villans are officially safe and gearing for next season he's in talks over a new deal.

The Mirror report that talks were shelved to focus on playing, and both parties are now eager to get it done.

First Tentative Link: Mathieu Flamini

Aston Villa's precarious situation in the English Premier League all season led to very few transfer links coming in.

It wasn't clear if the club would be planning for the Championship the following season or not, but one potential signing did filter through toward the end of April.

John Cross of The Mirror suggested ex-Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini could return to the EPL on a two-year deal and both Villa and Southampton were interested.

The Frenchman would be a free transfer.

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