5 Indian-origin players who were linked to big European clubs

Modified Apr 19, 2017 18:41 IST

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: Ryhs Williams of the Perth Glory makes space during the round one A-League match between the Perth Glory and the Central Coast Mariners at nib Stadium on October 8, 2016 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/Getty Images) — Rhys Williams captained Middlesbrough during his time on Teesside

#5 Danny Batth – Aston Villa

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Diego Costa of Chelsea (L) and Danny Batth of Wolves (R) battle for possession during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux on February 18, 2017 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — Batth has been on Wolves’ books his entire career

Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Batth is of Sikh Punjabi descent; he has an Indian father and an English mother. Batth has been at Wolves since 2000, when he was 10, and has come through the club’s academy to now lead the side.

In the summer of 2014, Premier League club Aston Villa were keen on signing Batth, as they contemplated a £5 million bid. However, Wolves made their intentions clear of not letting Batth leave under any circumstances, emphasising their need for the 6-foot-3 defender to help their promotion push instead of aiding Villa’s cause.

Batth and Aston Villa are playing in the same division now as it has been quite a steep fall for the Birmingham-based club from their European Cup-winning days in 1982 to struggling in the Championship.

Edited by Staff Editor