Aston Villa defender Olof Mellberg has done little to quell rumours linking him with a move to Juventus.

The Sweden international, who has been at Villa Park for seven years, is out of contract at the end of the season and would be free to open talks with interested parties in January.

Italian media reports claim that Mellberg will sign a pre-contract agreement with the Serie A side once the transfer window opens.

And the centre-back has failed to reject speculation about a possible move to Turin, telling the Daily Mirror: "Juventus, I cannot deny it."

Villa boss Martin O'Neill also faces a fight to keep hold of trio Martin Laursen, Thomas Sorensen and Wilfred Bouma, who are all out of contract in six months time.

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