Aston Villa face battle to keep top-scorer Jonathan Kodjia amid Fenerbahce interest

Championship side Aston Villa face a battle to keep top-scorer Jonathan Kodjia amid interest from Turkish giants Fenerbahce, according to reports in Turkey (via The Birmingham Mail).

The 27-year-old moved to Villa Park last summer after impressing at Bristol City, and continued to prove his goal-scoring credentials with 19 goals in 36 Championship matches for Steve Bruce’s side.

The Ivory Coast international, capped ten times and scorer of five goals for his country, has now managed 53 goals in his last three seasons in professional football, and a prolific record like that hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Fenerbahce reported to be expressing an interest in the forward.

The Turkish outfit are third in the Super Lig but cannot improve their league position with just two games of the season remaining, although look set to once again secure Europa League qualification, a competition they did well in this term by winning their group, which included Manchester United, before going out to Krasnador in the round of 32.

And with European football a potential offering, Dick Adovcaat’s men are lining up a loan move for Kodjia next season, who has been on the sidelines since the end of April with a broken ankle, an injury expected to keep him out of the start of next term.

And with Premier League duo Everton and Stoke also reported to be interested in the 27-year-old, Bruce may struggle to keep hold of his talisman this summer.