Sat Aug 13, 2016 1:56 am
Aston Villa 'chasing Aron Gunnarsson'
Iceland's Aron Gunnarsson celebrate after scoring during their Euro 2016 qualifier football match Latvia vs Iceland in Riga on October 10, 2014© Getty Images
By Neil Wilkes, Editor
Filed: Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 00:17 UK
Last Updated: Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 00:17 UK
Aston Villa are reportedly preparing a bid for Cardiff City midfielder Aron Gunnarsson.
The 27-year-old captained the Iceland squad that made it all the way through to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 in France this summer and is being eyed by Villa as a back-up option if they fail to lure Mile Jedinak from Crystal Palace.
According to The Sun, Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo views Gunnarsson as "a player who can add steel to a fragile Villa side" as the Midlands outfit look to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Gunnarsson, who is currently valued at around £2.1m, moved to the Welsh capital from Coventry City in 2011 and has since gone on to make 198 appearances in all competitions.
Villa are also thought to be closing in on the loan capture of young Chelsea striker Patrick Bamford.
Sat Aug 13, 2016 9:07 am
I think these clubs that have come down from the premier league realise that they need a bit of grunt in midfield and Gunnars would fit the bill for them.