Aston Villa wait as Hearts exile Marian Kello bids for freedom

Published on 05/04/2012 00:00

FROZEN-out Marian Kello was last night attempting to secure an early release from his deal at Hearts, with Aston Villa reportedly ready to swoop for the highly-rated goalkeeper.

The 29-year-old trained at the club’s Riccarton complex, before heading to Tynecastle, where he spent much of the day attempting to negotiate his departure.

Kello has not featured for the club since January, having refused to accept a £100,000 move to Austria Vienna during the last transfer window. Manager Paulo Sergio has been prohibited from fielding him since then. He made his last appearance in a 1-0 defeat at Inverness on 21 January, although continues to train with the rest of the first-team pool.

Kello, whose contract expires this summer, wrote on Twitter: “At Tynecastle to solve situation.”

Alex McLeish’s Premiership strugglers Aston Villa are believed to have already shown interest in him, with Everton, Watford, Bristol City and Nottingham Forest also thought to be among the other clubs tracking Kello’s progress.

If an early release from Hearts can be agreed, the keeper could begin training with a new club immediately, but will be unable to play until the summer transfer window opens.