By support

21st Dec, 2016 | 2:50pm

Report: Aston Villa £5m midfielder wants Rangers move, available for January loan

By Will Butcher

Aston Villa’s Aaron Tshibola is interested in a loan move to Rangers in January after a poor start to his Villa Park career, according to a report.

The Birmingham Mail claim that the 21-year-old would be keen to transfer to Mark Warburton’s Rangers in January, as well as a European side or to remain in England.

Tshibola has plummeted down the pecking order under new manager Steve Bruce, despite being signed for a hefty £5million in the summer from Championship rivals Reading.

Villa’s number eight has played just seven games for the Midlands giants, as the likes of Mile Jedinak, Gary Gardner and Ashley Westwood keep his appearances to a minimum.

The Gers are currently in need of a central midfielder, after losing summer signing Joey Barton following a bust-up with teammate Andy Halliday. The one-time England international has re-signed with Premier League new boys Burnley.

With Jordan Rossiter failing to feature since August as well as midfield duo Matt Crooks and Josh Windass being regular visitors to the physio room, Warburton could be tempted to sign a new midfielder.

Football Insider verdict:

Villa should allow Tshibola to leave Villa Park as his development will take a huge snag if he is unable to continue first-team football. The signing of the former England Under-18’s international would be a huge coup for Rangers, who are desperately in need of a central midfielder. Tshibola would go straight into the side to partner Halliday and Jason Holt while Windass remains sidelined, and would provide energy and a quick tempo to Warburton’s midfield. Able to play as an attacking or defensive midfielder, Tshibola could be used to add to the Gers attack with Halliday impressing at the base of the Gers three-man midfield. 

In other Aston Villa transfer news, another Villa star could be on his way out of the Midlands after a woeful start to life at Villa Park.