Birkir Bjarnason is set to remain at Aston Villa despite speculation linking him with a move to Italy, according to Sport Witness.
The news outlet claims that Bjaranson, 30, is very much expected to be a part of Villa’s 2018/19 Championship campaign, even though Serie B club Empoli are reportedly in the hunt to sign him.
Gazzetta dello Sport stated in their print edition earlier this week that the Italians are plotting a move for the senior Villa midfielder before the Serie B transfer window slams shut on Friday.
OPINION
Bjarnason has already proved his worth to Aston Villa this season with his last-minute goal against Wigan at the weekend earning his side three points despite being behind earlier in the game. It is absolutely vital that Villa can keep hold of the Iceland international, who appears to be improving as he is now settled down at Villa Park. Last season saw him dropping in and out of the side as well as having fitness issues, so given a run of first team performances, he should become one of Steve Bruce’s most valuable assets. It’s good that Empoli’s interest is going to come to nothing. Villa cannot afford to let players leave now they can only sign players on loan and it wouldn’t be ideal to let such a senior player like Bjarnason go. When January comes around it could be a different picture all together, but the ex-Basel man has two years left on his contract so there is no pressure to cash in on him.