Birmingham City forward Jota is set to join local rivals Aston Villa in a swap deal involving Gary Gardner, who has been out on loan at St Andrew's from the Villans this season.
Jota, who became the Blues' record signing in July 2017 when he joined for £6m plus add-ons from Brentford, made 40 appearances for the club in the Championship this season, notching three goals and nine assists, with Gardner playing 41 times and contributing to six goals.
Jota heading to Aston Villa from Birmingham while Gary Gardner off to St Andrew's permanently. Swap deal. Medicals today. #bcfc #avfc
— Nick Mashiter (@nickmashiter) May 31, 2019
According to reports from football journalist Nick Mashiter on Twitter
Mashiter wrote: "Jota heading to Aston Villa from Birmingham while Gary Gardner off to St Andrew's permanently. Swap deal. Medicals today."
It would appear that this means the deal is a straight swap, though this has not yet been confirmed.
Gardner, who has just one year left on his Villa
He is the younger brother of City's Craig Gardner, who is currently working under Garry Monk and has also turned out for both sides of the Second City derby, after starting his career at Villa Park in 2005.
While Villa recently achieved promotion to the Premier League
Source : 90min