da bet esporte： After missing out on Callum Wilson, Aston Villa are set to go back to Bournemouth to try and land one of their other attacking stars…
What’s the word?
da betsul： According to the reliable John Percy at the Telegraph, Dean Smith’s side are set to make a £16m bid for Cherries forward Joshua King as he steps up his pursuit of a new striking option.
It’s claimed that Villa are keen to sign two strikers this summer and that they withdrew their offer for Wilson when it was made clear he was moving to Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Brentford talisman Ollie Watkins is still a top priority but it appears King is another target for the club.
However, The Sun have previously suggested that the south coast side would want £25m to let him go.
Proven and versatile
If those reports are to be believed, then potentially adding someone like King alongside Watkins could be exactly what Villa need this summer.
Smith’s current striking duo of Wesley Moraes and Mbwana Samatta combined for a mere six goals last season, two fewer than Jack Grealish’s eight – they can’t rely on their skipper every single week.
This struggle for goals has been one of Smith’s biggest nightmares and one of the huge reasons why the club were embroiled in a relegation dogfight for most of the season.
The 28-year-old can play anywhere along the front three and has netted at least six goals in the last five Premier League campaigns with a career-best coming during the 2016/16 season where he bagged a whopping 16 times, via WhoScored.
He still did well in a struggling Cherries outfit, contributing directly to ten goals whilst averaging 2 dribbles and 1.2 key passes per game also.
It’s no wonder Eddie Howe once labelled him a “complete package” as he’s “outstanding physically, technically and mentally” and has also added that he’s “quite unique”.
If Villa are to avoid another relegation scrap, then adding proven PL players such as King is a smart way to go about business – though, they may have to increase that £16m bid if they are to secure him before next month.
AND in other news, £20m target would be an instant upgrade on Douglas Luiz…