West Brom are working on a deal to sign Aston Villa midfield anchorman Gary Gardner on a permanent deal, according to Football Insider.
The reliable site claim the Baggies have made contact with Villa over landing the 26-year-old before the transfer window shuts on Thursday of next week.
Football Insider report West Brom face competition for the signature of Gardner from Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers and Bolton Wanderers for the signature of the midfielder.
Good move for West Brom?
Gardner is a rock-solid operator and could be a useful squad addition for the Baggies as they look for instant promotion. Sure, he will not sell season tickets or put bums on seats. Players of his ilk rarely do. But the Villa man is proven in the Championship after making 117 appearances in the competition and showed during a loan spell at Barnsley last season that he can be a key member of a squad in the division. West Brom re-signed James Morrison yesterday on a one-year deal with the option to extend, but 6ft 1in Gardner (source: Transfermarkt) is six years younger and more mobile. He would offer an invaluable alternative to the Scotland international.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
It’s looking increasingly likely Gardner will quit Villa before the 9 August cut-off. The question is, which of his suitors will sign him? West Brom have the resources to blow Bolton and QPR – neither of whom are big spenders – out of the water by offering Gardner a lucrative contract. If they want the deal enough, they can get it done.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10