Click here McCarthy itching for English move
The Villa Park supremo has stepped up his interest in the South African international striker after having a £8 million bid for the player turned down two weeks ago by Celta.
Click here for our story Villa's Benni Bid Rejected
The Liga side wanted a fee of £12 million for the forward but the former Ajax star has now indicated that he wants to leave and Celta may be prepared to do a deal with Villa now rather than keep an unhappy player.
Gregory held talks with the player's agent Rob Moore on Wednesday, who confirmed that McCarthy wanted to play at Villa after not getting regular first team football at Celta.
"We have set a deadline of December 15 for the deal to be done," said Gregory. "If Benni McCarthy is not with us by then we will walk away once and for all.
"He has put himself in a position similar to Gareth Southgate did with us in the summer by telling the club he wants to leave.
"It is not fair for the situation to drag on indefinitely. He either has to come to us or get his head down and focus on Celta Vigo," said Gregory.
Gregory has been shorn of firepower this season with Luc Nilis out injured for a lengthy period with a serious knee injury and Julian Joachim and Dion Dublin struggling for goals.
He has been regularly frustrated in his attempts to add to his squad with Villa chairman not making the funds available to make a big name signing he has desired.
The Villa manager will hope that McCarthy will finally end his long search for a top quality striker.
