Aston Villa are interested in taking Danny Drinkwater on loan from Chelsea, even though he's endured a thoroughly miserable time at Burnley this season.
The 29-year-old won the Premier League title with Leicester during their memorable 2015/16 season, earning a £35m move to west London a year later.
However, the move quickly turned sour for Drinkwater, and he's featured just 12 times in the league since moving to Stamford Bridge.
The former Manchester United trainee attempted to get his career back on track with a loan move to Burnley at the beginning of the season, but that move hasn't worked out either - with Drinkwater only playing 60 minutes of top flight action this season.
Burnley's agreement with Chelsea expires at the beginning of January and it's unlikely that the switch will be extended, even though Burnley have first option on any future dealings. As a result, Drinkwater will be looking to resurrect his career elsewhere - and Sky Sports' Rob Dorsett claims that Aston Villa may be willing to offer him a lifeline.
#avfc interested in taking #cfc midfielder Danny Drinkwater on loan, I’m told. Smith wants Prem experience to cover for John McGinn injury. #burnley have first option to extend Drinkwater loan, but Dyche unlikely to do so, after he played just 60mins of Prem football so far.
— Rob Dorsett (@RobDorsettSky) December 30, 2019
The Villans have recently been dealt a hammer injury blow after John McGinn was ruled out for three months with a fractured ankle, leaving manager Dean Smith short of options in midfield. As a result, Dorsett reports that Drinkwater is a potential target - and Villa may look to take him on loan for the remainder of the campaign.
Smith is understood to be keen on recruiting players with Premier League experience, which is a box that Drinkwater adequately ticks. He's made more than 100 appearances at the highest level and even forced himself into England's plans during the peak of his career.
Injury problems have curtailed his progress since then, as well as Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri's reluctance to grant him any first team football at Chelsea. He appears to have no future under Frank Lampard either, meaning loan moves are his only hope of securing first team football.
Villa, meanwhile, have spent close to £150m since being promoted back to the Premier League, but have failed to deliver on lofty expectations. They are currently in the relegation zone, and slumped to a dismal 3-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Watford at the weekend.
Source : 90min