Neil Warnock says Cardiff will ‘listen to offers’ for Etheridge amid Villa links

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Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock has said the club will listen to offers for Neil Etheridge, who is a reported transfer target for Aston Villa.

There is just one week remaining now until the summer transfer window closes and it is thought Villa are very keen to finish their spending with a new goalkeeper.

The club have been linked with a string of names since their promotion back to the Premier League was confirmed, including Mattia Perin, Marcus Bettinelli, Tom Heaton and Jack Butland.

Sources close to Etheridge had claimed the Bluebirds actually rejected an £8 million offer from the Bluebirds earlier in the window, which Cardiff denied.

Speaking about the Philippines international, Warnock said (Wales Online): “As I’ve said before, we’ll listen to anything. I’ve not heard anything and I don’t think Neil has.

“I think we’ve got three great keepers. It wouldn’t worry me playing any of three. Joe Day’s had a fantastic pre-season, Smithies is as reliable as anything and Neil is what he is.

“So it wouldn’t worry me if an offer came in for Neil.”

TBR’s view

The ball is definitely in Villa’s court.

Warnock appears to be inviting the Premier League side to make an offer for the star, who proved himself to be a capable stopper in the top-flight in 2018/19.

Cardiff may have suffered relegation, but Etheridge caught the eye with a string of resolute displays between the sticks.

Some fans will hope for a more glamorous name such as Perin, but Etheridge could a shrewd pickup by the Midlands club.