Aston Villa target Kranjcar

Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish is ready to sit down and discuss a deal for Croatian international midfielder Niko Kranjcar. The player, valued in the region of 8m by Tottenham, has grown increasingly frustrated with lack of first team games at White Hart Lane.

Several clubs in Europe are also monitoring the young midfielder, who is expected to leave this summer if the 8m fee is matched.

The form of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart saw first-team opportunities limited for Kranjcar last season.

Villa boss Mcleish is looking for a replacement for Ashley Young who will join Man Utd this week for 18m GBP.