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Paul Lambert has been told he has a maximum of £10million to spend on strengthening Aston Villa’s squad this summer – and that includes wages and transfer fees, writes Neil Moxley for the Sunday People.

Villa’s boss has been searching in the bargain basement for players after a host of targets proved to be out of the club’s financial reach.

And the parameters of his close-season recruitment drive were spelled out during a meeting with club owner Randy Lerner in America.

Lambert wanted to add Joleon Lescott, Lewis Holtby, and Javier Hernandez to Villa’s ranks but their wage demands proved beyond the Birmingham club who have had to settle instead for Philippe Senderos and Joe Cole.

Lambert has been able to offer both players £1m-a-year – but with the average salary in the top-flight now £3.2m, he is having his work cut out to attract talent.

(Image: Getty)

West Brom outbid Villa for Lescott’s services and Cole admitted he took a big pay cut to join.

Meanwhile, the extent of Lerner’s disillusionment with Villa has extended to him stripping his luxury retreat near the club’s training ground.

The base that the multi-millionaire was using when he stayed in England has been cleared.

Lerner was hardly spotted at Villa Park last season. Lambert said that he had attended several matches but wanted to remain incognito.

However, the American lawyer did not make himself available last December when Prince William visited for a goalless draw against Sunderland.