Aston Villa starlet Tim Iroegbunam wanted by six Championship clubs on loan – report
Aston Villa midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is being targeted for a loan move by at least six Championship clubs, according to the Birmingham Mail.
Iroegbunam, who joined Villa from local rivals West Brom in 2021, made three Premier League appearances for Villa last season.
However, the Birmingham Mail are reporting that the young midfielder is now being lined up for a full season of senior football by a “long list” of Championship clubs.
The report names no less than six different clubs, including Queens Park Rangers who are now managed by former Villa assistant Michael Beale.
Sheffield United are another side linked, alongside Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers, Swansea City and Bristol City.
A loan would be best
Iroegbunam has bags of talent that needs to be nurtured and a loan spell in the Championship could be just what he needs.
Villa already have Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba in his position, as well as new signing Boubacar Kamara.
If he is to realise his undoubted potential then he needs minutes, which will be hard to come by at Villa Park next season. The report claims that Gerrard will look to keep the player around the team next season, but this could scupper his development.
A move to QPR would seem the best fit, with Michael Beale already knowing Iroegbunam well and having a good reputation for developing youngsters.
There is also space at Sheffield United after Morgan Gibbs-White and former Villa hero Conor Hourihane left The Blades.
Stoke also have a history with loaning players from Villa after taking James Chester and Jaden Philogene-Bidace on loan in recent seasons.
Villa can afford to let Iroegbunam have a spell out on loan and failure to do so could seriously hamper his development.
In other Aston Villa news, transfer flop Lovre Kalinic has officially left the club permanently.