Report: Aston Villa’s Gardner is now Nottingham Forest’s No.1 target

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Nottingham Forest make Aston Villa’s Gary Gardner their number one target after missing out on Burton Albion midfielder Jackson Irvine.

Gary Gardner has emerged as Nottingham Forest’s number one transfer target as a deal for Burton Albion’s Jackson Irvine now looks unlikely, reports the Nottingham Post.

Irvine had been on the Reds’ radar, but it is now believed he will be tempted to the Premier League with Brighton and Hove Albion getting ready to make a move.

Jackson Irvine of Burton Albion looks on during the pre season friendly match against West Brom

Kevin McDonald of Fulham had been linked with a switch to the City Ground as well at times during the summer, but his £7m price-tag has proven a stumbling block.

So with Forest manager Mark Warburton looking to bolster his squad, attention has now firmly turned to Aston Villa midfielder Gardner.

The 25-year-old has been told he is not longer needed at Villa Park as Steve Bruce does some reshaping of his own squad and Warburton wants to capitalise on that.

Gardner is certainly a familiar figure for Reds fans having had two separate loan spells at the club in 2015 and 2016 and making 40 appearances in total.

Gary Gardner of Aston Villa celebrates