Bolton Wanderers and QPR have received a boost in their respective pursuits of Aston Villa midfielder Gary Gardner with West Brom ruling themselves out of the race to sign him, as reported by The72 earlier today.
The72 reported yesterday that Bolton, QPR and West Brom were all interested in signing the 26-year-old from Aston Villa. However, the Baggies are not interested and are now looking at other options which is good news for Bolton and QPR.
Aston Villa may sell Gardner as he has fallen down the pecking order with them and he spent last season on loan at Barnsley.
He joined Aston Villa as a youngster in 2005 and has been on their books ever since he rose through their youth ranks.
Gardner has only played 46 times for Villa so far in his career and has mainly obtained first-team experience out on loan. He has spent time at Coventry City, Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton and Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and most recently Barnsley so far in his career.
Bolton Wanderers could be his next destination. The Trotters got off to a great start in the Championship today by beating West Brom 2-1 away at the Hawthorns. They are still in the hunt for some more signings before the transfer window shuts next Thursday.
QPR are also being linked with him. Their manager, Steve McClaren, wants to add more faces to his newly inherited side and put his own stamp on them after a frustrating summer in the transfer window.