Aston Villa transfer news: Gary Gardner closes on Barnsley loan switch
Villa midfielder Gary Gardner is closing in on a season-long loan move to Barnsley.
The 25-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Villa Park and is one of several players seeking a deadline day escape.
Oakwell has now emerged as his most likely destination, with Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom keen to bring in a midfielder with Championship experience.
Gardner has featured only once for Villa this season – in last week’s 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Wigan – with the summer arrivals of Glenn Whelan and Tottenham loanee Josh Onomah further limiting his chances.
Ross McCormack is another player who could move on before tonight’s 11pm deadline.
Sunderland are still keen on securing a loan deal for McCormack, though the two clubs remain some distance from reaching an agreement on who pays what share of the striker’s £45,000-a-week wages.
The Black Cats also made an unsuccessful approach for Villa defender Tommy Elphick.
Elphick is another player who has found his chances limited this season but may now be kept on at Villa Park, due to concerns over a knee injury sustained by fellow centre-back Chris Samba.
Villa boss is still keen to add numbers in both attack and defence, though any deals are dependent on successful outgoings.
