CONOR HOURIHANE
Will he? Â Won’t he?
All has suddenly gone quiet on the Conor Hourihane transfer, despite multiple reports that the Barnsley midfielder is destined to imminently switch to Villa Park.
The latest scare is a local London news story circulating that Hourihane has been approached by Crystal Palace. Â This was enough to also see the Irishman’s name feature in Sky Sport’s transfer rumour reports & Football Whispers.
Whilst the delay at this time is unclear, it’s also un-nerving.
Any additional interest would be present a challenge for Villa, particularly from clubs who can offer Hourihane Premier League football.
If Villa do manage to secure his signature, it would stand as an coup given both his age, promise and versatility.  Indeed, given the reported fee (around £3 million), it’s astonishing that the club’s advances have gone uncontested.
Perhaps that’s about to change at the final hour?
Read more about Conor Hourihane here.
JAMES BREE
Villa have though today successfully unveiled 19 year old fullback James Bree.
Bree has been heavily linked to Villa for a number of weeks & joins on a long term deal.
KEY FACTS:
- 19 years old.
- Debut at just 16 for Barnsley.
- Contracted until 2021.
- Position: Right back.
- Senior Appearances: 61.
- Rejected Man Utd at 15.
- Direct replacement for Alan Hutton?
BIRKIR BJARNASON
The other news of the day was that Villa have acted swiftly to reinforce the midfield.
Bjarnason, one of Iceland’s stand-out performers at Euro 2016, transfers from FC Basle.
Learn more about our new signing (AKA “Thor”) here.
With Palace appearing to be well on tbe way to picking up Robbie Brady, I am not so sure the Hourihane hijack is really that likely.