Finally a few more transfer rumours have been leaked today ahead of what is set to be an exciting summer for Aston Villa and despite manager Gerard Houllier’s struggle with his health, the club are keen to ensure they secure their targets for the transfer window with many set to be shown the door. The Express suggest that Villa are keen on Borussia Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin, who has played a pivotal role in the club’s league success this season, in which they are dominating the likes of Bayern Munich. The 22-year-old Turkey international is in high demand due to a clause in his contract and will be attracting interest from all over Europe. Another young midfielder who is catching the eye of plenty of suitors at home and abroad is 19-year-old Victor Wanyama, a Kenyan starlet plying his trade with Belgian side GBA. Finally, the club are reportedly showing strong interest in Leeds winger/forward Robert Snodgrass who played under Villa assistant Gary McAllister during his time at Elland Road. The 23-year-old has been one of the Championship’s top performers and has linked up with the likes of Eric Lichaj and fellow Scot Barry Bannan this term.
22-year-old Dortmund playmaker Nuri Sahin has been linked to the club after Dortmund agreed a deal to sign Nuremberg Ilkay Gundogan for £4m in order to replace the Turkish international. Though he is valued at far higher by his employers, the midfielder reportedly has a clause which would see him leave the club if a bid of just £5m is made. Villa’s task to sign the youngster may be all but impossible with the likes of Real Madrid, Chelsea and Liverpool all ahead of them in the pecking order so I don’t expect this one to come through but it’s a promising link nonetheless. Despite being born in Germany, Sahin opted to play for Turkey at international level as he felt he would get more opportunities which has proved the case having made 22 senior appearances at his tender age. He has been a mainstay for the Bundesliga’s top club this season, starting 30 games and shipping in with an impressive 6 goals and 8 assists, he has also scored 2 goals and assisted a further 4 in the Europa League this term. Unlikely.
Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen, (we’ll just stick to GBA) starlet Wanyama is the younger brother of fellow reported Villa target MacDonald Mariga who plays at Inter Milan. Astonishingly, despite it only being Kenya, Wanyama made his senior international debut at the age of 15 and since then has made a further 11 appearances by the age of 19. Sky Sports suggest the Belgian giants Standard Liege are keen to keep him in the Jupiler League but interest is growing from overseas and the Premier League in particular, with Villa set to do battle with league rivals Birmingham, Sunderland and Newcastle in the summer as cash strapped GBA look to cash in. At his young age he is a regular in the first team at GBA, appearing 30 times in the league and scoring twice from his defensive midfield role, both coming in draws against Westerlo. Possible.
Leeds winger Robert Snodgrass is a versatile advanced midfielder, much like Ashley Young, who can play on either wing as well as supporting the striker. The Scot is a fans favourite at Elland Road and is famed for a ferocious left foot with the ability to score the odd wonder goal, similar to how Fabian Delph was adored at the club. The 23-year-old earned his first full international cap earlier in the year and is in high demand in the Premier League should the Whites fail in their promotion bid, having slipped out off the play off places. Stoke, Birmingham, Newcastle and QPR will all have to be fended off if Villa want to secure his signature and this is a pretty credible link in my opinion, given Young’s current stance. Snodgrass is an exciting player and has impressed against top level opposition, not least the likes of Manchester United last year and Arsenal this. In 38 games in League and Cup this year he has netted 7 goals and picked up further assists. In terms of a bid from Villa I wouldn’t be surprised at all!
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