Exclusive: Multiple clubs want to sign senior Villa man in January, Smith ready to sell
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Exclusive: Multiple clubs want to sign senior Villa man in January, Smith ready to sell

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

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.

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Multiple clubs are interested in signing Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia in January, Football Insider can reveal.

The striker, 30, has had just 20 minutes of Premier League action this season and is out of contract next summer.

A Villa source has told Football Insider that Dean Smith is ready to sell Kodjia in January if he can secure a replacement striker capable of slotting into the matchday squad.

Multiple clubs are keen on the Ivory Coast international including Championship outfit Cardiff City.

As revealed by Football Insider, Villa rejected a £7million bid from Al-Gharafa for Kodjia before the Qatar window shut at the end of September.

That was mainly because the Premier League window had shut for nearly five months and Smith had no opportunity to recruit a replacement.

But Kodjia's future remains very much up in the air and Smith is willing to offload him in the forthcoming window as he could use some of the funds towards a replacement.

The Villa source explained that the club have yet to approach the forward for talks about extending his contract even though it expires next June.

Kodjia has been on the fringes this season, partly due to injury and also Wesley Moraes assuming the first choice spearhead mantle following his £22million summer arrival.

The 24-times international fractured his cheekbone in an accidental training-ground collision but has had just four league minutes since returning to action at the end of October.

Kodjia has an impressive record for Villa since joining from Bristol City in 206, with his 100 appearances yielding 29 goals and eight assists.

In other Aston Villa news, it can be REVEALED that the club have set their sights on winger at north-west club ahead of January.

Aston Villa
Cardiff City
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