Aston Villa have made a £7million bid for Nigel Reo-Coker, the West Ham United captain. The 23-year-old handed in a transfer request at Upton Park at the end of the season and Alan Curbishley, West Ham's manager, said he would listen to offers of about £8million.

Martin O'Neill, the Villa manager, has been keeping tabs on Reo-Coker, who is also captain of the England Under-21 side, for several months.

Reo-Coker, who joined West Ham for £500,000 from Wimbledon in January 2004. has also been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

West Ham are in already in discussions with a possible replacement, having agreed a fee of £8million with Newcastle for England midfielder Scott Parker. The Hammers also had an offer accepted by Manchester City for Joey Barton, but he is having a medical at Newcastle instead.

Reo-Coker believes he needs to move away from West Ham to reactivate his career after claiming that he "needs to play where he feels wanted."

He was believed to be the subject of interest from Arsenal during the January transfer window window although nothing was firmed up by the Gunners.

O'Neill has made it clear that a midfielder of Reo-Coker's qualities is amongst his priorities this summer to play alongside Stiliyan Petrov.

But, if he arrives at Villa Park, it will put further question marks over the future of Gavin McCann, who has only one year left of his contract, and Northern Ireland international Steven Davis.

O'Neill is also keeping tabs on the West Bromwich Albion trio of Jason Koumas, Paul Robinson and Paul McShane and Charlton Athletic defender Luke Young.