Report: Aston Villa eye Swindon Town midfielder Ben Gladwin

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Villa boss Tim Sherwood is said to have launched a £3.5 million joint-bid for the League One star and teammate Massimo Luongo.

Tim Sherwood is looking to bring Swindon Town midfielder Ben Gladwin to Aston Villa along with teammate Massimo Luongo, according to the Telegraph.

Luongo, who worked with Sherwood at Tottenham Hotspur, has been linked with a move to Villa since last month but now the Villa manager is also said to be keen on his fellow Robins star.

Gladwin, 22, joined Swindon from non-league side Marlow in November 2013 and has since grown into one of the most promising talents outside the top-flight, recording 11 goals and eight assists in 40 total appearances this season.

Sherwood himself labelled the former Reading trainee as one to watch before taking the Villa job, writing in the Independent: “He came up through non-league, most recently having played for Marlow, and can play a range of positions including centre-half, wing-back and midfield. Uses his size well. Great feet and technically very confident.”

The ex-Spurs boss is since said to watched the Swindon duo in action on several occasions, including in the League One club’s recent 5-5 home draw with Sheffield United, when Gladwin’s impressive two-goal display helped seal them a place in the play-off final.

The team’s subsequent 4-0 defeat to Preston North End means both are expected to move on this summer, however, with Villa even said to have tabled a £3.5 million joint-bid.

While the FA Cup finalists face competition from relegated Queens Park Rangers, who are claimed to have matched their offer, Sherwood’s relationship with Swindon chairman and ex-Norwich teammate Lee Power could help push through a deal.

The Wiltshire outfit are reported to be holding out for £4 million but are resigned to losing the pair after their failure to secure promotion.

Tottenham are also known to have first-option to re-sign Luongo for the same £400,000 fee he was sold for in August 2013 but are not believed to be interested in bringing the Australia international back to White Hart Lane.