Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is looking to bring a Chelsea midfielder on a season-long loan to Villa Park, according to John Percy at The Telegraph.
Smith’s focus has now turned to bringing in a ‘number 8’, with Ross Barkley or Ruben Loftus-Cheek the most likely to make the switch from Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa Looking to Sign Chelsea Midfielder
Ross Barkley or Ruben Loftus-Cheek Could Join the Villa
Ross Barkley has been in and out of the team since Frank Lampard’s arrival at Chelsea, so securing a regular spot in the Villa side could boost his England chances. He has, however, featured as a substitute in both of the Blues Premier League matches, and made 31 appearances in all competition last season.
According to Percy, Chelsea are demanding that Smith’s side pay Barkley’s £120,000 per week wages in full, something which Villa are hesitant to agree to.
Loftus-Cheek, however, could also be an option for Smith. The 24-year-old had an injury-hit season last year but started Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Either signing would add a huge improvement to Villa’s midfielder. Both players are relatively young but already have plenty of top-flight experience. This is something Smith’s side lacked last season as they returned to the Premier League.
Villa Signings So Far
So far, Dean Smith has made four major signings. Ollie Watkins arrived from Brentford, Emiliano Martinez from Arsenal, Bertrand Traore from Olympique Lyonnais and Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.
Unlike last season, Smith appears to have spent both wisely and logically. Last summer, the club spent in excess of £100 million on a number of players that failed to perform. But, this season, all of his signings look like they are well thought out.
The arrival of a young yet experienced Chelsea midfielder would further boost Villa’s chances of a more progressive season that last year, where they avoided relegation on the final day.
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