Aston Villa reportedly are willing to bid £5 million for Barnsley captain Marc Roberts. Roberts, a towering central defender, attracted Premier League interest last summer, but stayed with his boyhood club. Is he an improvement over Nathan Baker?
Aston Villa is preparing a £5 million bid for yet another Barnsley player. This time, Steve Bruce wants to improve his back line with captain Marc Roberts.
Roberts, 26, and standing nearly 6’5″ is an imposing defender in the English Championship. The Tykes’ center-half started 40 league matches this season, compiling 3,517 minutes. He’s a threat from set pieces, as evidenced by four goals and three assists in this time.
Marc Roberts was, quite frankly, incredible for Barnsley this season. He averaged 7.3 aerial duels won per match, on par with Villa’s Mile Jedinak.
Barnsley see their club falling apart with several key players leaving in 12 months. James Bree and Conor Hourihane transferred to Aston Villa, Sam Winnall left for Sheffield Wednesday, Marley Watkins is a free agent, and Marc Roberts has a number of suitors.
Not to mention, Swansea City made a £5 million move for Alfie Mawson last summer.
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Roberts is a right-footed central defender, which is a bit of a problem for Aston Villa. The ideal pairing for the club would include James Chester and the aforementioned, Roberts. However, James Chester would have to slide over to LCB where he was not quite as dominant when partnering Tommy Elphick.
Nathan Baker, despite playing very well, would be reduced to a spot on the bench.
It’s been reported Roberts won’t leave Barnsley unless assured of a place in the first team.
Marc Roberts would undoubtedly make Aston Villa a better football club. But how much better is the question.
£5 million might be most of this summer’s transfer budget until the club offloads several fringe players. For a club that finished with the 4th-least amount of goals conceded, central defense doesn’t seem like the most immediate improvement.
On the other hand, does Steve Bruce see Nathan Baker as a center-half for the future?
Regardless, Villa should not be making a move for Roberts unless an outward movement of Elphick or Micah Richards is finalized. Perhaps even both.