Watford, Aston Villa 'attempting to snap up Harry Arter'

Cardiff City reportedly risk losing Bournemouth loanee Harry Arter to a rival club as Watford and Aston Villa are weighing up an approach.

The 29-year-old midfielder has played a crucial role in Cardiff's bid to stay in the Premier League, starting 18 of the Bluebirds' 23 matches.

Arter was not involved in Saturday's 3-0 loss at Newcastle United, however, with boss Neil Warnock putting his absence down to a minor injury.

According to the Irish Independent, Cardiff risk losing one of their key players for good, with fellow top-flight club Watford and Championship promotion chasers Villa interested.

Wales Online claims that Arter's loan agreement runs until the end of the campaign, though, meaning that the player would have to force a move out of the club should he be interested in a transfer.