Aston Villa want Nottingham Forest midfielder.
Aston Villa are reportedly confident of signing Henri Lansbury from Nottingham Forest despite competition from clubs including Derby, Watford and Celtic.
The Daily Mail report Villa will offer £3 million for the central midfielder who has just six months remaining on his contract.
Villa also have an ace up their sleeve, in the form of former Nottingham Forest loanee Gary Gardner, should they wish to utilise it.
Gary Gardner celebrates scoring the first goal for Aston Villa
Gardner became a fan favourite at the City Ground during two loan spells at Nottingham Forest in previous seasons, and has found it tough going at Villa this season.
He was criticised by supporters early on in the campaign, and was substituted at half-time in the loss to Cardiff City earlier this week.
Lansbury’s arrival would potentially hamper his first team opportunities, and Forest could hope to play on that and tempt the midfielder into making a transfer in the opposite direction.
Nottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury celebrates
Losing Lansbury would be a significant blow to Forest, who sit only two points above the relegation zone.
If they could bring in Gardner in exchange then it would instantly solve a quandry of having to find a replacement at short notice.
Gary Gardner (C) celebrates scoring the first goal for Nottingham Forest
Gardner flourished last season at Forest while Lansbury was out with an ankle injury, and at 24, he still has plenty of room to improve.
A switch to the City Ground could be tempting for the midfielder, and if Forest are pushed into selling Lansbury this transfer window, bringing in their former loanee in exchange could be the best scenario.
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