Aston Villa couldn’t offload midfielder Birkir Bjarnason in January.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa midfielder Birkir Bjarnason rejected January moves away from the club to try and fight for his place.
Villa swooped to land Bjarnason from Basel in 2017, with Steve Bruce completing an impressive move to sign the Icelandic international, just months after he starred at Euro 2016.
The 30-year-old has been something of a utility man for Villa, popping up in a number of midfield role, whilst making more than 50 appearances for the club.
Bjarnason hasn’t had an important role this season though, starting just 11 Championship games, and has appeared just once since the end of January – a six-minute cameo against Birmingham earlier this month.
Dean Smith seemingly doesn’t fancy Bjarnason, but the experienced midfielder turned down January exits according to the Birmingham Mail, with a whole host of exit options discussed.
Bjarnason wanted to stay and fight for his place, but given that he still isn’t getting a regular kick under Smith, he may well have to change his stance this summer.
Villa were willing to let him go for Financial Fair Play reasons, as he earns £30,000-a-week – and the report notes that his wages are expected to increase come the end of the season, most likely as a ‘yearly wage rise’ clause.
Paying that kind of money to a fringe player won’t be sustainable for Villa this summer, and fans may well see the midfielder leave at the end of the campaign.
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