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Clubs battle it out for Icelandic star Birkir Bjarnason

Birkir Bjarnason is in hot demand, with Italian Serie A clubs Torino and Palermo, as well as England’s Leeds United, all keen on the Pescara’s Icelandic midfielder.

Bjarnason, 27, is said to want away from the Serie B club after they failed to win promotion to Italy’s top flight last season.

English Championship side Leeds are said to be interested in the Icelander, who was managed by the club’s German boss Uwe Rosler at Norwegian club Viking earlier in his career.

However, the lure of top flight football is likely to prove too much for Bjarnason, who has also been linked with Swiss side Basel, themselves regular Champions League entrants.

Sky Italia reports that Torino have run into problems with their bid, leaving Palermo as the favourites to sign the player up.

Bjarnason captained his side last year and is regarded as one of their most influential players, but having previously played in Serie A with Sampdoria, he is said to have his heart set on a return to the top tier.

The Icelandic international joined Pescara from Belgian side Standard Liege in 2012, before being loaned out to Sampdoria and later returning to Pescara.