QPR, Preston North End and Brentford are the new names in the frame in the chase for Aston Villa’s Gary Gardner.
There are a number of potential destinations for Gary Gardner after the close of the transfer window but the one sure thing is that he is seriously unlikely to still be plying his trade at Villa Park.
The academy graduate featured semi-regularly for Villa last season but has fallen down the pecking order under Steve Bruce and has not played in any of the Midlands club’s games so far this season.
Therefore, a departure seems inevitable with just two weeks of the transfer window remaining and, according to the Birmingham Mail, there are no shortage of clubs keen to offer Gardner an escape route.
The report claims that Nottingham Forest were keen on re-signing the midfielder, who became something of a fans favourite during loan spells at the City Ground in both 2015 and 2016.
However, there are now three new names in the frame with Preston North End, Brentford and Queens Park Rangers joining the pursuit.
Links with QPR are particularly intriguing as the London club have been rather quiet in the summer window, though reinforcing their midfield appears to have been a particular aim for manager Ian Holloway.
QPR have only completed four signings but Josh Scowen (below), a hard-working midfielder landed on a free from Barnsley, adds energy in the engine room while 19-year-old Charlie Owens, picked up from London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, provides plenty of potential.
And Gardner would provide Holloway with further options.
However, the 25-year-old only signed a new contract at Villa until 2020 in December, meaning he may not come cheap.
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