It goes without saying, any player would prefer life in the Premiership rather than the Championship, and … Leeds midfielder Eirik Bakke has told Villa boss David O’Leary he wants to remain with the midlands club for the remainder of the season.
Bakke’s cut loan agreement runs out at the end of January and Villa are trying to reach agreement with Leeds to extend the stay until May.
The Norway international has become an integral part of O’Leary’s plans after overcoming injury problems which blighted his past two seasons at Elland Road.
O’Leary: ‘I’ve said to the club I want to keep him until the end of the season. I don’t know if other clubs are going to be looking at him.
‘Eirik wants to stay. He’s been into my office and said he doesn’t want to go anywhere else for the rest of the season.
‘I would say Leeds will wait until the very end of January to see if any offers come in for him but Eirik has told us he wants to stay here until the end of the season.’
O’Leary: ‘Personally I think Eirik needs this season to get himself completely right. I think by the end of the season, if he goes along the same way, he’ll be a very attractive player for somebody to buy.
‘I’m not even thinking about next season yet. I just want to secure him until the end of the season to be honest. I’ll be happy to do that for now.’
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