Soccer: Alpay happy at Villa
Aston Villa defender Alpay has no plans to leave the club after rumours that he wanted to join Arsenal, according to his agent.
The Turkish international centre-half, who moved to the midlands club for £5.6m last summer, was reportedly keen on a move to Highbury, but the player’s agent insists Alpay is more than happy at Villa Park.
"Alpay is perfectly happy here and the stories that he wants to leave are untrue," said Pini Zahivi.
"He has no intention of leaving Villa Park and he is already looking forward to his second season in the Premiership."
Alpay’s commitment to the club comes as a timely boost for manager John Gregory, who is braced for the summer departure of England international defender Gareth Southgate.
Southgate, who asked for a transfer last summer, is determined to leave Villa before the start of next season and the club are looking for a fee in the region of £8m to let the 30-year-old go.
