Premier League strugglers Aston Villa have joined Norwich in the battle to bring Steven Naismith from Merseyside, according to reports.
Villa boss Remi Garde has been given the green light by owner Randy Lerner to pursue Naismith in an attempt to strengthen his side in their desperate struggle to avoid relegation. The Telegraph have reported the Midlands club are willing to pay £6.5million, significantly less than reportedly offered by Norwich a few months earlier.
Norwich’s interest in the Scottish forward has been no secret after the Norfolk club made a £8million bid in the closing hours of the summer transfer window. But with Roberto Martinez failing to give Naismith the playing time he’s asked for, he is likely to be open to a move in January.
With Villa and Norwich struggling to score the goals needed to survive in the Premier League, a bidding war could be on the cards as the threat of missing out on the new TV deal becomes greater.
