Aston Villa have contacted Premier League outfit Everton over re-signing midfielder Tom Cleverley during the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.
The 27-year-old spent the 2014/15 season on-loan at Villa Park and enjoyed a decent season, scoring three goals in 37 appearances. Despite having an offer to join Villa on a permanent transfer, Cleverley penned a five-year contract with Everton after being released by Manchester United.
Under Roberto Martinez, Cleverley was a regular in the side, making 30 appearances last season, scoring twice and assisting in five more goals. However, Ronald Koeman has used the England international in more of a rotational role this season, making just 10 Premier League appearances, four starts, featuring just twice in the last nine games.
This has prompted a number of Premier League and Championship sides to enquire into his availability this month. Watford, Burnley and Newcastle have all joined Villa in making an approach for Cleverley.
It’s believed that Everton are only listening to permanent transfer offers for Cleverley at the moment but interested parties are holding out until the end of the window where that stance might change and Koeman sanctions a loan exit.
If Cleverley isn’t to return to Villa Park, Nottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury, Barnsley’s Conor Hourihane and Cleverley’s teammate James McCarthy are all on Steve Bruce’s radar.
