Is Aston Villa a good destination for US midfielder Michael Bradley?
AMSTERDAM — According to several reports in Germany and the United States, the rumors concerning where US international Michael Bradley would move during the winter transfer window can stop. The 23-year-old Borussia Mönchengladbach central midfielder appears set to go on loan to EPL side Aston Villa.
Reports in both Kicker.de and ESPN.com on Saturday morning declared that Bradley, who has a year and a half left on his contract with 'Gladbach, will join Villa on loan through the summer. These reports were seemingly confirmed by a note on Twitter from Bradley's uncle, Jeff Bradley, congratulating his nephew.
Later on Saturday after Villa's FA Cup match, when asked about the possible move, Villa manager Gerard Houllier said, "I don't want to say anything about it, maybe in two days' time."
And on Sunday, the BBC reported that Bradley was in England to complete his medical exam.
There has been a great deal of speculation this January about Bradley's future at Mönchengladbach, who currently sit at the bottom of the German Bundesliga with just three wins from 19 matches. Bradley has appeared in all 19 games and scored three goals; however, after starting every game in the first half of the season, he has only come off the bench the last two matches since the league returned from its winter break.
[inline_node:324286]Clubs reportedly interested in Bradley's services included Sunderland, Galatasaray, and a handful of other Bundesliga teams.
But it is Houllier's Aston Villa, who have underimpressed this season and are currently in 13th place, who have snagged him.
At Villa, Bradley will join fellow Americans goalkeeper Brad Friedel and defender Eric Lichaj. Yankee goalkeeper Brad Guzan is also under contract at Villa Park, but is currently out on loan at Hull City.
Interestingly, Bradley's father, US national team coach Bob Bradley, was a candidate for the vacant Villa job last summer before Houllier was hired by the club's American owner, Randy Lerner.
