Latest news round-up from B6:
Whilst arguably it’s largely slim pickings from the current squad, it appears that the vultures are already beginning to circle. Like it or loathe it, there are a few players amongst the group who you can see some potential, but perhaps they have been totally wasted amongst the dross:
Jordan Veretout has been linked with a move to AC Milan. The quiet Frenchman had an indifferent start to his Villa career, failing to convince Tim Sherwood of his qualities. Whilst I would say that there is certainly promise in the player, I don’t think we’ve remotely seen the best of him often enough. Villa would naturally be looking to recoup as much of the £8 million paid last summer in the event he is moved on. Veretout was linked with both Milan & Leicester last year before opting for Villa Park.
Liverpool’s 19 year old striker Jerome Sinclair is out of contract this summer and is apparently being courted by Villa at this early stage. Sinclair has made two appearances this season, scoring once in the televised tie with Exeter. Villa are desperate for options up front and the youngster would add a livelier option to an otherwise static attack. This would potentially bring into question the futures of existing academy players and those players’ (Robinson for one) currently out on loan.
17 year old Rushian Hepburn-Murphy is one of a cluster of players fans would like to see getting some game time given our plight. However, having sustained a fracture the likelihood of seeing him this season appears slim. In a Twitter update he has announced that he is at least two weeks away from a progress scan, before any return to fitness and first team consideration can occur. When your lucks out, it’s out.
Villa, Chelsea & Leicester are apparently tracking 20 year old Paul Onuachu. The name might be familiar to anyone who saw the recent Midtjylland win over Man Utd in which he scored (see below). The striker has also been impressing in the Danish top flight and a fee of £7.5 million has been floated by his current club. Naturally Villa will be competing with sides offering a better proposition in the coming months & this could become a recurring theme in our pursuit of improved players.
Villa are apparently watching Greek U21 goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas. Despite having made just a handful of senior club level appearances, he is considered a decent prospect and had trials at Stoke aged 18. Whilst this signing is far from assured, there can be no doubt that Villa need to recruit a goalkeeper – or even two. Certainly a youthful prospect to challenge a number one would be welcome.