But owner Craig Whyte has told new Villa boss Alex McLeish that goalkeeper Allan McGregor is not for sale.

McLeish has already been linked with a move for the Scotland number one but the sale of McGregor appears unlikely to be used as part of a deal to bring defender Cuellar to Glasgow.

Whyte said: "I've said that Allan is not for sale. We have not been approached by anybody about him.

"We've made a bid for Cuellar but, with their managerial change, it has slowed there a bit."

Meanwhile, Whyte believes a £2million asking price for Dundee United striker David Goodwillie is too much but refused to rule out further dialogue with the Tannadice club.

He added: "I think, for that individual player, £2million is too steep.

"But I am sure there are more conversations to be had with Dundee United.

"That price is too high in my opinion but others might have a different view."