SCOTT HOGAN
In a quite astonishing deal, for the fee alone, Villa agreed the signing of Brentford striker Scott Hogan.
The deal, a record for The Championship, could see the final fee to Brentford rise to an eye watering £15 million pounds. This fee is made up of Brentford’s valuation, add ons, future success and a significant sell on clause owing to Rochdale.
Hogan, who had been pursued by West Ham for most of the window, joins us as we reel from a embarrassing 3-0 defeat to his now former club.
Undeniably the striker has been identified to bring goals and support to Jonathan Kodjia.
Hogan has 21 goals in 34 games for Brentford.
A medical has concluded, with close scrutiny of the 24 year olds knees having been central to this. In his short career, he has suffered two cruciate ligament injuries which have sidelined him two spells, one of which extended to 18 months.
Breaking transfer news: Delighted to announce the signing of Scott Hogan. Full story: https://t.co/FniqGfyRZm #AVFC #WelcomeScott pic.twitter.com/QVmhPOtRF0
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 31, 2017
AYEW FOR TAYLOR SWAP
As featured in yesterdays update, Jordan Ayew has joined Swansea City, drawing a close to his incredibly disappointing Aston Villa career.
Ayew split supporter opinion, with glimpses of genuine quality often offset by anonymity or ill-discipline.
The Ghanaian often looked pained in a Villa shirt, struggled for form and became increasingly a peripherable figure in Steve Bruce’s plans.
Most tellingly, this season at least, was quite how ineffective he appeared to be.
Whilst the Premier League may have come too soon for Ayew, he showed little to convince that he would be a key man in any resurgence of the football club in the tier below.
Whilst in terms of a straight swap, few would consider Taylor alone as parity for Ayew (despite the above), he joins with Villa looking incredibly poor at left back. Additionally, Villa will receive £5 million from Swansea to sweeten the deal.
Whilst this is a damning verdict on Jordan Amavi, it does bring Taylor, a key figure in the successful Welsh side into the set-up on a long term deal. This see’s the 27 year old link up with the impressive James Chester within Villa’s defence.
Breaking transfer news: Delighted to announce the signing of Neil Taylor. Full story: https://t.co/yNflyfqaFG #AVFC #WelcomeNeil pic.twitter.com/uFfMeQkuU3
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 31, 2017
ROSS MCCORMACK
After the revelations about McCormack’s fitness and attitude it is no surprise that Villa are considering his future.
McCormack is reportedly undergoing a medical at Nottingham Forest. This deal, if successful, is thought to be initially on loan.
Villa will struggle to recoup anything near the £12 million spent just a matter of months ago to Fulham, but this is proof that the club see him as too toxic to have a Villa Park as we seek to turn a corner.
His departure would bring an end to a bizarre, wasteful and underwhelming chapter in the Scots career.
JACOB BEDEAU
The 17 year old rising talent has joined Villa from Bury.
The deal has finally been concluded, for a fee of £900,000 agreed.