Derby County are reportedly set to battle Aston Villa for Glenn Whelan’s signature.
Republic of Ireland’s Glenn Whelan in action with Austria’s Zlatko Junuzovic
According to the Daily Mail, Derby County are plotting a move for Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan, with Aston Villa yet to make a second bid for the midfielder.
Whelan, 33, joined Stoke from Sheffield Wednesday in January 2008, and has been a mainstay throughout the club’s Premier League days, playing important roles under both Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes.
Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in action with Everton’s Morgan Schneiderlin
The midfielder has racked up almost 350 appearances for Stoke, whilst also representing the Republic of Ireland 81 times having carved out a successful career for club and country as a defensive midfielder.
However, with Stoke signing Darren Fletcher from West Brom, Whelan could be expendable this summer, with interest building from Championship clubs.
Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in action with Tottenham’s Victor Wanyama
The Daily Mail report that Derby County are now interested in signing Whelan, with manager Gary Rowett understood to be a huge fan of his ability to sit in front of the defence and break up play.
Derby have already landed Curtis Davies this summer, and Whelan would be another experienced head in the Rams squad, serving a role somewhat similar to former Derby ace John Eustace in holding midfield.
Stoke City’s Glenn Whelan in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Claudio Yacob
It’s suggested that the Rams could swoop in with a move for Whelan given that Championship rivals Aston Villa have yet to follow up with a new bid, having already failed with a £500,000 offer given that Stoke allegedly want £1million for the veteran.
Villa owner Tony Xia is understood to have reservations about the club’s spending this summer, having been concerned with how much the club have spent in recent years – and that delay in making a second offer could lead to Derby stealing in an snatching Whelan this summer.
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