Villa remain on the hunt for a strike partner for £33m record signing Ollie Watkins, with the Premier League curtain raiser against Sheffield United now looming.
Rhian Brewster is a name not unfamiliar with eagle-eyed supporters, with the promising Liverpool striker heavily linked to Villa Park earlier in the summer transfer window.
Things have moved on for Villa significantly since that initial link, with Dean Smith having acquired his primary goalscoring target from former club Brentford.
The club have been focused in recent days on negotiations for the supporting cast, with any deal for Bertrand Traore hinging upon a successful work permit application and Milot Rashica proving a protracted deal to finalise.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrewster’s future has also developed, with Liverpool in a strong position in terms of their position and interest from a host of Premier League clubs.
The reality is that whilst the striker has a stated ambition to play for Liverpool, the Anfield side have a settled XI and will only look to add obvious improvements to their squad under Jurgen Klopp.
Villa’s immediate urgency for a striker has now diminished, but Dean Smith will remain alive towards any opportunities to add goals to what was an impotent strike force last season.
Wesley, although improving prior to his layoff, struggled in his first season in English football. The Brazilian has also only recently returned to the UK and it remains unclear as to what his fitness status is, but it’s certain that he is nowhere near match fit after a horror knee injury suffered on New Years Day at Turf Moor.
There is also unsettled business in terms of Mbwana Samatta. The 27 year old failed to impress after a big money January move and could see himself shipped out to Turkey, or worse still, West Bromwich.
Keinan Davis appears to remain a part of Smith’s first team plans, with the striker coming on and scoring against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup victory midweek. However, there remains interest from at least two Championship clubs to take the striker on loan.
Seperately, USA youth international Indiana Vassilev has today been cleared to go on a season long loan.
Villa are known to have a significant transfer war-chest and with Liverpool unwilling to loan Brewster, it opens up the opportunity for the club to explore a permanent deal.
Klopp remains a shrewd transfer dealer, with reports indicating that he will fund a move for Thiago Alcantara by selling Brewster for between £20m-£25m.
The 20 year old enjoyed a very successful loan spell at Swansea City last season, but now finds himself behind the likes of Mane, Firmino and Salah at Anfield.
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