Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Championship trio Brentford, Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers.
The 25-year-old made 27 appearances for the club last season in all competitions but he is yet to feature in the new campaign.
In addition, he did not travel with the Villa squad on their pre-season trip to Germany this summer, leading to rumours that he will be leaving the club to find first-team football.
Villa manager Steve Bruce has signed midfielders Josh Onomah and Glenn Whelan in the current window, while Mile Jedinak, Conor Hourihane and Henri Lansbury were already at his disposal.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Gardner is likely to remain in the second tier should he leave the West Midlanders, with the Bees, the Lilywhites and the R's all believed to be interested in his services.
Gardner came through the ranks at Villa, but has only made 45 appearances in all competitions for his boyhood club since first making the senior team in 2011.
Giuseppe Labellarte
