Abel Hernandez worked with Steve Bruce at Hull City and appears a ready-made replacement for Jonathan Kodjia at Aston Villa.
Though Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce insists that top scorer Jonathan Kodjia is happy with the Championship side, reports in the Daily Mirror that both Everton and Stoke City are interested only highlights the fact that it will become increasingly difficult to hang onto him.
The Ivorian striker has scored 19 goals in his debut season after signing from Bristol City and, with Villa stuck in the middle of the second-tier, you could forgive him for being tempted by Premier League offers.
Therefore, it only makes sense that Villa would make contingency plans. And, in Hull City striker Abel Hernandez, they may have an ideal alternative.
The Daily Mail reported in August last year that the club had identified the Uruguayan as a potential transfer target and launched a bid of £14 million. If Kodjia leaves, a second bid would make even more sense.
Especially now Bruce is at the helm. The 56-year-old guided Hull to promotion to the top flight last season thanks in part to Hernandez’s 20 league goals – the highest tally in the Championship.
Though Bruce played down speculation in November that he could target his former star, as reported by the Birmingham Mail, Villa’s situation may change drastically. After all, Ross McCormack is unlikely to be at the club next season and Rudy Gestede has already departed. Now, with Kodjia linked with the exit, Villa may find themselves in greater need of a forward.
And Hernandez’s Championship pedigree suggests he would be a low-risk replacement. Furthermore, blessed with natural pace and the ability to run in behind defences, the addition of the former Palermo forward would not require huge tactical changes.
He is similar stylistically to Kodjia – all the more reason to make him the club’s Plan B.
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