Swansea City are reportedly interested in Sunderland defender Tom Flanagan.
Aston Villa’s lack of options at centre-back became increasingly clear when James Chester became a doubt for the second city derby last month, after suffering an injury on international duty.
Although the Villa captain was deemed fit enough to face Garry Monk’s Birmingham City in the 4-2 victory at Villa Park, his potential absence had fans worried with only Axel Tuanzebe presenting the club’s other option.
Chester and Tuanzebe have started the majority of Villa’s outings with the club loaning out Tommy Elphick to Hull City, leaving themselves with no cover at the heart of their defence.
It should be a priority in January, then, for Dean Smith to add depth to his centre-back options in the January transfer window by signing a new defender and he should take a look at Sunderland rock Tom Flanagan.
HITC Sport claimed earlier this week that Swansea City were interested in the 27-year-old, who joined Jack Ross’ Sunderland in the summer on a free transfer from Burton Albion.
He has gone from strength to strength at the Stadium of Light, failing to lose in any of his 15 league and cup appearances for the promotion-chasing League One side.
In those 15 games, Sunderland have kept five clean sheets and conceded just 13 goals. It is largely down to the performances of Flanagan, alongside fellow new signing Jack Baldwin at centre-back.
His displays have attracted the interest of Graham Potter’s Swansea City ahead of the January transfer window, but as the outstanding League One centre-back at the moment, Villa have to rival the Swans.
Landing Flanagan would give Villa top-class cover and the kind of competition that will keep both Tuanzebe and Chester on their toes in the starting line-up. A must-buy in January.
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