The latest transfer news and rumour from B6 as the transfer deadline looms:
GREGORY SERTIC
Villa have been dealt a blow with an approach for Marseille’s 29 year old midfielder Gregory Sertic rejected.
The former French U21 international has been peripheral at best in France for the last two years and would represent a gamble.
It seems that a loan deal to link up with Smith at Villa Park has been declined, with the Frenchman reportedly considering offers in both Spain and America.
SCOTT HOGAN
As featured yesterday on The Villa Underground, Scott Hogan’s time at Villa Park is over.
It’s understood that Hogan will transfer on loan for the remainder of the season to Sheffield United having undergone a medical.
Hogan is reported to have had the option of joining Bristol City as an alternative, but has decided to head to promotion chasing United at Bramall Lane.
It’s believed that though the deal is ‘initially’ a loan, this is with a view to a permanent transfer being concluded.
Villa signed Hogan for at least £9 million just 2 years ago, but the former Brentford striker has failed to capture anything like the goalscoring form shown at his former club.
Britt Assombalonga
Villa are widely reported to be considering a bit of a gamble in the form of Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga.
Assombalonga was signed for an outrageous £15 million by Boro, but now finds himself out of favour with Tony Pulis.
Whilst the 26 year old cuts on interesting striker, unless a genuine deal could be agreed, any move would surely be loaded with risk.
Further, Villa simply do not have the cash with which to be coming anywhere close to the £10 million Middlesbrough are apparently expecting in terms of any fee. The club has also been quietly trimming the wage bill, happily parting with Yannick Bolasie & Hogan; relieving a cost burden of around £115,000 a week in the process.
Assombalonga has a 1 in 3 return this term and might be considered a supporting cast member for Tammy Abraham, especially given Hogan’s imminent exit. This link certainly seems an outsider, but stranger things have happened at Aston Villa.
Nathaniel Chalobah
24 year old £5 million rated Watford midfielder Nathanial Chalobah has been strongly linked with a loan move to Villa Park.
The former Chelsea player, and full England international, has also played out on loan at Forest & Reading at Championship level.
Whilst many are scratching their heads at yet another link to a midfielder, there is an obvious in-balance in the middle of the pitch, recurring injury, erratic-form and age. Whilst Villa are heavy on central midfielders, it’s fair to say that John McGinn could use a competent partner alongside him.
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