Irish winger’s agent claims client open to Premier League move

Aiden McGeady has put a cluster of Premier League clubs on high-alert after his agent revealed the Irish winger would welcome a move to England should Spartak Moscow receive a ‘serious offer’ for his services.

Aston Villa are one of the clubs who have courted the Irish international in recent seasons and Paul Lambert’s men are priced up at 8/5 to win away at Southampton in their next game.

An orthodox wide-man such as McGeady would help Villa no end, who have been in short supply of goals since selling off out-and-out wingers Stewart Downing and Ashley Young over a year ago, which has also coincided with their plummet from top-four contenders to relegation battlers.

The team flourished utilising the unfashionable 4-4-2 formation under Martin O’Neill, with the majority of their service coming from the flanks. The signing of Christian Benteke to partner Darren Bent suggests Lambert wants to play with two up top as well, so a move for McGeady would provide some much-needed natural width.

Mark Albrighton hasn’t lived up to his early promise and Charles N’Zogbia has been a huge disappointment in claret and blue. Summer signing Brett Holman could yet prove a smart piece of business, but wingers will still remain on Lambert’s wish list to ensure his side are a danger to both full-backs.

Sunderland are the other team frequently linked with the former Celtic man, with O’Neill well aware of McGeady’s strengths from the time they shared at the Glasgow club.

However, in Adam Johnson and James McClean, the Black Cats already have two of the Premier League’s most gifted, genuine wide-men in their possession and further reinforcement in that area seems unlikely.

Capped 55 times by Ireland, McGeady wouldn’t come cheap but, if Lambert can tempt his chairman to dip into the coffers, his side will likely head the pack in the race to secure the top-level, creative player their squad requires.

All odds and markets correct as of publication