Aston Villa Offered Chance To Sign Swedish Under-21 Star - Reports

Aston Villa are the latest club to be offered the signature of Sweden's Under-21 star Marcus Berg.

The young starlet lit up the Championships playing for his home nation as he bagged an outstanding return of 11 goals in just four games.

Berg was initially linked with a move to Merseyside to join either Liverpool or Everton but fresh speculation has now linked the youngster with a switch to Birmingham.

However his club, and agents, will argue that his exemplary goal record at club level, which stands at a ratio of one in every two, justifies the fee.

Reports in The Birmingham Mail suggest that Martin O’Neill and chief scout Ian Storey Moore have been made aware of the 22-year-old’s availability this summer by agents acting on behalf of his club, Groningen.

However the £8.5 million asking price could provide a stumbling block as the fee is a substantial amount for a young and, until now, relatively unknown player.

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton may kick-start start a transfer scramble for the 21-year-old, and Villa players James Milner and Gabby Agbonlahor have first hand experience of what the striker is capable of.

Milner and Agbonlahor took on Berg's Sweden in the semi-final of the tournament when a brace from the striker helped his side fight back from a three-nil half-time deficit.

The youngster's poachers instinct that helped him grab a hat-trick against Belarus in the group stages forced extra time against England, before the Three Lions held their nerve to prevail on penalties.

David Kifford, Goal.com