Icelandic international Birkir Bjarnason looks set to leave Aston Villa this month after a disappointing 12 months in the Championship.
Birkir Bjarnason finally showed Aston Villa fans what all the fuss was about in their 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The Icelandic international came on at half-time at the City Ground and delivered a masterclass in the centre of the park. And, as Villa fans pointed out, Bjarnason produced more in just 45 minutes than the under-fire Glenn Whelan has all season long.
But is there a chance that Bjarnason’s most impressive performance in a Villa shirt is also his last one?
Tuttomercatoweb claimed last week that Bjarnason’s agent was in Italy to negotiate a move away this month, only one year after he joined the Championship giants from perennial Swiss champions FC Basel. Serie A newcomers SPAL were reported to be interested.
And the Birmingham Mail has reported on Thursday that the 29-year-old could indeed be on his way out of the Midlands with other sides in Italy keen. Villa, however, are not willing to let Bjarnason go on the cheap and want to recoup the £2 million they paid Basel for his services.
Like many of the players who have moved to Aston Villa since their relegation to the Championship, Bjarnason has not lived up to expectations on a consistent basis.
The 63-capped international was superb as Iceland reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, scoring against finalists France and Portugal while famously stunning England in the knock-out rounds.
But Bjarnason has made just seven Championship starts in 12 months at Aston Villa, scoring once. And Villa will probably be relieved if they can recoup £2 million.
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