Aston Villa are reportedly working on a loan deal for Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom.
According to the Daily Mail, Aston Villa are working on a loan deal for Arsenal striker Chuba Akpom – and Steve Bruce’s comments from last season show just how highly he rates the attacker.
Villa have sealed two signings this month, with goalkeeper Sam Johnstone joining on loan from Manchester United before midfielder Henri Lansbury arrived from Nottingham Forest on Friday afternoon.
Manager Bruce is still keen to add more new faces to his side given that Villa are nine points adrift of the Championship play-off places, and whilst Sky Sports report that a double raid on Barnsley for right back James Bree and midfielder Conor Hourihane is on the cards, a striker is also on Bruce’s wish list.
Arsenal’s Chuba Akpom in action with Nottingham Forest’s Michael Mancienne
The Daily Mail reported last week that Villa failed with a bid for Middlesbrough striker Jordan Rhodes, and now the Mail claim that Bruce has turned to a striker he worked with last season; Chuba Akpom.
It’s stated that Villa are working on a loan deal for the Arsenal attacker, in a move which would see the pair reunited having worked together at Hull City last season.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Akpom, 21, has played just once for Arsenal this term, and hit three goals in 36 appearances for Hull last term – not the greatest record in front of goal, but that didn’t stop Bruce from hailing him last term.
After scoring against Wolves in August 2015, Bruce told the Hull Daily Mail that he felt Akpom had a real chance to be a star, as he has so much ‘raw talent’ and ‘natural ability’.
“Chuba has a chance, doesn’t he? Wow,” said Bruce. “He has a lot to do and a lot to learn. But, in terms of raw talent, you don’t have to watch him long to realise the natural ability that he has. Only a few are blessed with that.”
“He has to learn and this league will teach him that. He turns round and runs at defenders, that is when it is tough for the opposition. He has an outstanding chance because of his ability,” he added.
Villa fans will have been hoping for a more prolific striker than Akpom, but given Bruce’s view on the Arsenal prospect, they should be willing to give him a chance to shine at Villa Park should a loan deal be completed in the next week.
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