Exclusive: Aston Villa in hunt to sign Nottingham Forest player and ready to agree deal now

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

Published on:

24 Oct 2018, 9:47 am

EXCLUSIVE By Pete O'Rourke

Aston Villa have set their sights on signing Nottingham Forest loan star Saidy Janko, Football Insider sources understands.

The Midlands giants are battling with Premier League duo Wolves and Fulham to land the former Manchester United defender after his impressive campaign at the City Ground.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Villa and Wolves are prepared to agree a deal now for Janko with the move to become official when his loan deal at Forest ends.

Right-back Janko joined Forest on a season-long deal on transfer deadline day from FC Porto.

Janko has caught the eye at Forest since his arrival with the Championship club unbeaten in the five games that the Switzerland Under-21 international has played in.

Ex-Celtic player Janko joined Porto in the summer after an impressive spell at St Etienne in France, but having been loaned out, he could be available for as a little as £2million by the Portguese champions.

New Villa boss Dean Smith will be planning to reshape the Villa squad as he looks to build them into a side capable of winning promotion back to the Premier League and Janko is understood to be on his radar.

Fulham have held a long-term interest in the former Manchester United defender, having previously tried to sign him on three occasions, while Janko would fit the bill for Wolves in that he can play at right-back or right wing-back.

In other Aston Villa talks, the club have made a move to sign a Sheffield Wednesday ace as talks over a deal have begun.

Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest