Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge admits he is keen on a return to the Premier League, but says his future is likely to be out of his hands.
The 29-year old was one of the Bluebirds' shining lights during their short stint in the top flight last season, recording an impressive tally of 10 clean sheets.
Despite Cardiff's relegation back to the Championship, Etheridge's stock remains high and there's already been a fair bit of interest in his signature.
Aston Villa are already understood to have had an £8m bid knocked back , with reports in the Midlands suggesting they could be tempted to launch an improved offer soon, while West Ham United and previous club Fulham have also been linked.
And, with Villa recently sealing a return to the top flight, a move to Villa Park could prove a tempting proposition despite his gratitude to Cardiff for the opportunity they've given him.
Etheridge is currently on holiday in the Philippines, and recently told local media : "I want to go back to play in the Premier League. I feel it’s where I belong.
"To have the opportunity to go back in the Premier League is something I’ll have to consider extremely. I’ll think about it, but ultimately, it’s not my decision.
"Obviously, [Cardiff] has given me the platform to go and play in the Championship and the Premier League. Even the massive disappointment with the club that we got relegated."
Villa are believed to be in the market for a new number one keeper this summer and their recent moves suggest they see Etheridge as the man to take on that role.
However, Etheridge himself says he won't shy away from moving somewhere where he isn't necessarily first choice.
He said: "You’re one step away, you’re one injury away, a couple of training sessions away from getting that No. 1 shirt, so there are how many ways you must look at it.
"You sit on the bench in the Premier League for one week, you could be playing for the rest of the season if the No. 1 at that time had a bad game."
