With the headlines currently being dominated by Mark Hughes’ resignation from Fulham and the inevitable linkage to the Villa Park vacancy (I’m not convinced by the way), it’s easy to miss other news going on today.

Actually, this one is barely more than a footnote on German website RP Online, but it’s being reported that we will exercise our option to purchase Michael Bradley permanently from Borussia Mönchengladbach for a fee of €5m which includes the loan period.

The Google translation reads:

Marcel Meeuwis and Michael Bradley, who were also hired in the winter come back. Aston Villa has taken the option to purchase Bradley, including the transfer of the loan fee brings one around five million euros.

Obviously we’ll have wait for official confirmation, but that’s unlikely to happen before we have a new manager. Yes, that raises obvious questions, I know.

I know that Bradley hasn’t really shown much so far – he hasn’t had a great deal of opportunity – but he’s genuinely a decent player and I could see him being an asset for sure. He’s currently part of the United States’ Gold Cup squad, along with Eric Lichaj, and should be in action this weekend against Spain.

It’s never dull being an Aston Villa supporter these days. What summer break?

[Picked up from Olaf L. Nordwich via Jen Chang]