Villa have made clear to Hammers officials that they are willing to offer something like the asking fee to land the services of the want-away Reo-Coker although it has transpired no formal bid has been registered.

But Villa boss Martin O’Neill is likely to have to wait until at least after England’s final group game with Serbia on June 17 before he can complete what he hopes will be the formalities of the transfer.

Given the mix-up over Villa player Gabriel Agbonlahor’s availability for the Under-21 squad, coach Stuart Pearce is unlikely to be in any mood to allow his skipper Reo-Coker to become involved in transfer negotiations while England remain in the tournament.

Reo-Coker, who joined West Ham from Wimbledon for £500,000 two and a half years ago, has made it clear that is also where his immediate priorities lie.

He said; “I see myself as a professional and I have got my professional hat on and right now it is all about England Under-21s and the European Championships.”

Reo-Coker will join up with two of his potential Villa team-mates of the future in Ashley Young and Gary Cahill if the deal gets the green light.

He is poised to replace Gavin McCann whose £1m plus move from Villa to Bolton is poised to go through subject to him passing a medical.