BENNI TURNS DOWN AJAX
The South African has become the target for a number of clubs but Villa, who are reluctant to part with £13 million for him, has been revealed as the player's favoured destination.
His agent Rob Moore reiterated that McCarthy wants to move to England after turning down an approach from former club Ajax, and that he will speak to interested clubs next month.
"Benni cannot keep waiting," he said. "In November I will go to England to negotiate with five clubs.
"If Aston Villa want to have Benni, they had better arrange it before that time.
"Ajax wanted him, but Benni did not want to go."
Villa once again admitted that, with the uncertainty over the transfer situation, they will not pay £13 million for the striker, issuing a statement to respond to local press reports criticising chairman Doug Ellis.
"The chairman has worked hard over the weekend and on Monday in pursuing the manager's interest in Benni McCarthy," said Villa finance director Mark Ansell.
"However, his club have made it clear that they will not release him until they have a replacement and are out of the Uefa Cup, and they are asking a fee of £13 million.
"Notwithstanding the current position on transfer and registration regulations, everyone at Aston Villa (and clearly to date any other club that may have been interested in him) consider this to be substantially in excess of the value for a player who has only been first choice once this year."
