According to reports, Aston Villa are reportedly keen on luring Glenn Whelan after he opted to leave Stoke City but the Villans they may have to compete against Burnley for the midfielder.
Whelan joined the Potters from Sheffield Wednesday in January 2008 and helped the club to win promotion to the Premier League later that year.
By the end of that season, he was handed his international debut for the Republic of Ireland against Serbia and has since gone on to gain 80 international caps.
During his nine year spell with Stoke, Whelan made 337 appearances which included an FA Cup final as well as matches in the Europa League. With the arrival of Darren Fletcher, Whelan would have likely dropped down the pecking order had he signed a new contract with the club.
After Euro 2016, Whelan had fallen out of favour with the Republic of Ireland national team and is no longer a guaranteed starter under Martin O’ Neill.
