Aston Villa’s spending continues, with former Leeds target set to sign.
Aston Villa’s January spending looks set to continue as owner Tony Xia attempts to give the club’s squad the boost they badly need.
The next player through the door appears to be Iceland international Birkir Bjarnason, with the Birmingham Mail reporting he is set for a medical today.
Bjarnason could be an outstanding signing for the Villans after starring for his country at Euro 2016, while one Championship club in particular may regret having been caught napping over this deal.
Iceland’s Birkir Bjarnason celebrates after scoring their first goa
Italian journalist Gianluca DiMarzio, via his official website, reported Leeds were hopeful of signing Bjarnason in 2015, with the player having played previously under then boss at the time, Uwe Rosler.
Bjarnason helped Pescara win promotion from Serie B after netting 10 goals from midfield that year, but Leeds were beaten to his signature by Swiss side Basel.
There perhaps was not much Leeds could do about that, with Basel able to offer him Champions League football, and Bjarnason did not look out of place at Euro 2016, where he scored twice.
England’s Kyle Walker in action with Iceland’s Birkir Bjarnason
Bjarnason’s hard working style meshes well with his quality on the ball, and his ability to play in a variety of attacking midfield roles.
There may not have been much Leeds could have done to stop him moving to Basel in 2015, but they evidently have been beaten to the punch by Villa this time around, with Basel accepting the Championship side’s offer.
Leeds are currently in fourth place in the league while Villa are 13th, and Bjarnason could be a big asset for a team who have already signed Henri Lansbury this transfer window and are looking also at Conor Hourihane.
Garry Monk’s Leeds meanwhile are yet to make a signing save for converting Pablo Hernandez’s loan into a permanent deal, and Bjarnason is one player they would have been smart to follow up on.
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