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Matej Vydra’s agent Ondrej Chovanec has spoken to the Russian press and claimed Rangers and Aston Villa had bids rejected for the Burnley striker during the January transfer window.

There’s been claims in the UK media that Vydra was close to signing for Rangers as Steven Gerrard looked to strengthen his squad, but a move to Ibrox collapsed.

With Rangers in the title race and Aston Villa in a relegation battle, both Gerrard and Dean Smith were looking to bring in players.

Speaking about the matter to Sport24, Chovanec said offers were rejected from Rangers and Aston Villa for his client: “Russian clubs are showing interest in Matej. But he also had offers from Rangers, Aston Villa and one major Ukrainian club. However, Burnley decided to keep him in the squad. They are short of strikers and that was the reason.”

He added: “He still wants to leave. He wants to move to a club where he can show his qualities. He wants to play regularly ahead of Euro 2020.”

Vydra has been a bit-part player for Sean Dyche this season, making just six Premier League appearances, scoring one goal.

With Euro 2020 just around the corner the attacker will want to be playing regular football in order to get selected for the Czech squad, but his situation at Turf Moor could hamper this.