Aston Villa are plotting a move to hijack Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale deal, Football Insider can reveal.
Chris Wilder’s side had an £18.5million bid for the goalkeeper, 22, accepted by Bournemouth on Saturday as they close in on a landmark signing.
A Villa source has told Football Insider the club are eyeing a dramatic ambush of United’s Ramsdale pursuit after putting out feelers over the weekend.
It is said that the England Under-21 international’s move to Bramall Lane is “not yet a done deal” as he has yet to finalise personal terms with the club.
Bournemouth have given up hope of holding on to one of their prize assets following relegation to the Championship.
Intriguingly, Dean Smith is in the market for a new goalkeeper this window and has now set his sights on Ramsdale.
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Pepe Reina ended the season as the first choice at Villa Park and played a key role as they narrowly survived relegation, but his loan spell from AC Milan has come to an end.
The Spanish veteran had taken over from another deputy, Orjan Nyland, after the Norwegian was given the nod by Smith immediately after the restart.
Tom Heaton is the first choice keeper at Villa but he has been sidelined since the turn of the year with a serious knee injury.
Ramsdale is being targeted as he is regarded as a big talent with the potential to develop into a bona fide star.
The keeper took over as the Bournemouth first choice in 2019-20 and started 37 of their 38 league games as they suffered relegation to the Championship.
The shot-stopper joined the Cherries in January 2017 in a deal that was worth around £1m.
In other news, Aston Villa are making progress on mega-money double deal.
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By: Wayne Veysey
Title: Aston Villa plot stunning Sheffield United keeper hijack
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/aston-villa-plot-hijack-of-sheffield-united-deal-for-bournemouth-ace/
Published Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2020 06:15:00 +0000