Rumor: Aston Villa strikes out on early bid for CB Jores Okore

According to several sources, Aston Villa are rumored to have struck out after offering £3million to Danish club FC Nordsjaelland for center back Jores Okore. The 20-year-old Ivorian-born Danish international has starred for Nordsjaelland since becoming a regular first-teamer during the 2011-12 Superliga season. FCN have reportedly slapped a £5million price tag on Okore as interest grows from multiple English Premier League clubs.

We learned back in February that Okore was very nearly moved during the January transfer window, but that an offer from Fulham apparently didn't suit FCN's plans at the time. With past rumored suitors including Manchester United, Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, Villa could more realistically see competitive offers coming from Fulham and QPR.

Quoted by Danish outlet Sporten.dk, Okore spoke candidly of his desire to test himself in the EPL:

There have been brought so many clubs on the field, but Aston Villa sounds interesting. I can not really relate to a club before I get any more, but the Premier League is a league that will suit me very well. Physical, tempo and in terms of level, I think that I can help. So we'll see what happens, said Okore last night before the team's training in Aalborg.

I've made no secret that I'm ready for a change, and it could be incredibly exciting to be able to try to play in the Premier League. I think myself that I showed that I could be on the high level in the Champions League, said Okore last night.

Described as an aggressive defender with leadership qualities, Okore could be a welcome addition to Villa's struggling back line. Allowing 69 goals against on the year, only relegated Wigan and Reading fared worse in the statistic at 73 a piece.