Aston Villa: January transfer rumors round-up
It is January 9th and European clubs are deep into transfer negotiations with possible new signings. This is a round-up of the latest Aston Villa rumors.
The Birmingham Mail is reporting Villa are set to make a £4 million bid for Barnsley right back, James Bree. Bree, a nineteen year old talent, has been a regular at the club for almost two seasons now and would provide a fresh option to the beleaguered Alan Hutton.
Ritchie De Laet’s cruciate injury certainly did Aston Villa no favors.
In related Birmingham Mail news, Stewart Downing is said to be available on loan. Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka may make Downing available for loan. Downing, now 32, spent two seasons at Aston Villa during a £12 million move all the way back in 2009.
Two years later he was sold to Liverpool in the region of £20 million.
Most notably, Downing took home Aston Villa Player of Year honors during the 2010-2011 season.
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Downing heavily favorites his left foot – often being deployed on the right where he cuts inside. However, manager Steve Bruce may see Downing as the ideal left winger to compete with the likes of Jordan Ayew, Leandro Bacuna, Jack Grealish, and André Green.
Stewart’s old Villa days saw him play both flanks where the Englishman would switch with Ashley Young and James Milner.
Would Downing be worth it to bring in on loan? Possibly. A loan provides Villa the security in cutting ties if the move failed horribly.
Obtaining an attacker who regularly features for a decent Premier League side in Boro, may be a shrewd pick-up alongside other permanent transfers.
Below, you can enjoy Gabby Agbonlahor cross to an open Stewart Downing who slots it in with his right foot.
Lastly, Crystal Palace are the current front-runners to obtain Arsenal’s Carl Jenkinson on loan. Swansea City, Villa, Watford, and West Ham are also in on the talented right back.