Aston Villa are bracing themselves for Liverpool's offer for England winger Young, although O'Neill has warned potential bidders to expect 'short shrift'.
That will not deter Kop boss Benitez, who is also on the verge of winning his fight to keep midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The lure of a Premier League title challenge and Champions League action at Anfield will be tough for Young to resist, especially in a World Cup season.
Benitez and O'Neill fought a bitter transfer war over Gareth Barry 12 months ago. The Villa boss frustrated Benitez on that occasion, when the Anfield board refused to meet the midfielder's £18m valuation.
This time Benitez can expect the funds to get his man, although Villa recently slapped a £30m price tag on the 24-year-old.
In another massive boost to Liverpool's title hopes, Alonso is ready to commit himself for another season.
Alonso WILL be part of the club's Far East tour having rejoined the squad ahead of a friendly in Vienna tonight.
Real Madrid had set a deadline of this weekend for a £27m transfer, but that will pass without a deal and they will not be encouraged to bid again.
30m, will Benitez be willing to pay?
I tihnk 30m is fair enough for a player like Young. Fast, pacy and good crossing.
this will be a great addition to the kop squad, hope rafa can sign him up, but surely it wont be easy, esp after the relationship between e two managers soured after barry's saga last yr
The winger is one of the best prospects in the league and Villa have reportedly rejected an opening £18m offer from Tottenham, saying it is nowhere near their £30m valuation of the player.
Now the door may be open for Liverpool to get involved as their move for Valencia midfielder David Silva has stalled.
However, while Villa are bracing themselves for Liverpool's offer, manager Martin O'Neill has said he does not want to see the player leave.
O'Neill insisted on Thursday: "There have been a lot of stories about Ashley - and that's what they are - stories."
He added: "No-one has come in and asked us about Ashley Young and I have got to tell you, if they did they would get short shrift."
Ryan Babel may be a Liverpool flop but he's a 'sick rapper', according to hip hop pal Sway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNTmWdfj-LA&feature=player_embedded
Not since John Barnes memorably 'busted' lyrics in England's 1990 official World Cup anthem World in Motion has an Anfield star conquered the charts.
And while Ryan Babel may have struggled to find the Liverpool groove ever since his arrival from Ajax in 2007, he sensationally been hailed as a 'sick rapper' after linking up with artist Sway on the UK hip hop star's forthcoming album, The Signature 2.
The 22-year-old Holland international is one of a host of stars to collaborate for the new album set to hit stores in 2010 and Sway is backing his close football pal to be the record's success story thanks to his 'amazing' cameo on the unannounced track.
He said: 'Ryan Babel's a good mate of mine. He's a nice guy, he's a sick rapper.
'The way he flips his flow is marvellous man, so I wanted him to do a bit - half Dutch, half British, and he really pulled it off man.'
'We linked up in New York as well. He's a nice guy and I have a lot of fun with him.
'We linked up with Neutrino and I think it's a track that people are gonna like.'
It's not the first time Babel has featured on a hip hop track, mastering his MC'in skills with compatriot Daryl on the recent release Eeyeeyo, featuring Ali B and Soumia.
　
　
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_4LmwmQqrA&feature=player_embedded
VIDEO: Rapper's Delight - Ryan Babel gets in the groove...
young is good and pacy and can score goals too.
how come city never bid for young?
he's a great player to be in upcoming yrs, addition bonus will be that he's an english.
hope rafa can go all out to sign him
Aston Villa have rejected an £18 million offer from Tottenham for winger Ashley Young.
The Sunday Times says Harry Redknapp, the Tottenham manager, has made Young his No 1 transfer priority. But the club’s chairman, Daniel Levy, is reluctant to pay more than £25m, which may open the door for Liverpool, who are expected to enter the bidding.
It is believed that the Stevenage-born winger is keen to return south and has told friends he would jump at the chance to move to White Hart Lane.
25m so much
i think ok lar, with his ability, should ok around 20-25 kind of range
Liverpool where got money if they don't sell Alonso/
Liverpool where got money if they don't sell Alonso/
ya no money if alonso dun go. if he dun go, can sell mascherano to barcelona or RM what lol.
will be a good addition...prefer him than Silva...