Aston Villa have reportedly made a seven-figure offer for Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.
According to a report from Wales Online, Cardiff have rejected an £8 million bid from Aston Villa for Neil Etheridge, while Fulham had an even larger offer turned down for the Philippines international.
The Villans are preparing for their return to the top flight, and one of the areas that Dean Smith is seemingly keen to strengthen is in goal. The Sun on Sunday (2/6; page 59) reported at the weekend that January signing Lovre Kalinic could be heading for a swift exit.
And it appears that Etheridge is the man that Smith wants to replace Kalinic. Wales Online reports that Villa made an £8 million offer for the 29-year-old, but that has been turned down by the Bluebirds.
And it seems that Villa will have to make a significant improvement if they hope to get their man at the second attempt as Wales Online has added that Fulham have seen an offer closer to £10 million also rejected.
Etheridge may have suffered relegation this past season, but there is no doubt that he was one of Cardiff’s best performers during their year in the top flight, appearing in all 38 of their games.
Smith signed Etheridge for Walsall in 2015, and that move gave the stopper the chance to work with Neil Cutler, who is now in Smith’s backroom team as Villa’s goalkeeping coach.
Wales Online suggests that the chance to move to Villa Park is likely to appeal to Etheridge. But it is becoming clear that he is not going to be allowed to make the move on the cheap.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
