Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce has been commenting on the situation regarding West Ham United loan star Robert Snodgrass.
West Ham shipped Scotland international Snodgrass out on loan to Villa in the summer, just six months after splashing out £10 million to bring him to East London from Bruce’s former club Hull City.
Snodgrass failed to impress for the Hammers after signing last January and spoke out publicly criticising former boss Slaven Bilic for failing to play him in his correct position on the right side of midfield.
After a slow start Snodgrass has become one of Villa’s most influential players as they push for promotion back to the Premier League.
Since David Moyes’ arrival as Bilic’s replacement at West Ham, there has been much speculation he could look to recall his fellow Scot, particularly since Michail Antonio’s injury left him desperately short of players who can play on the right hand side of midfield.
Moyes’ intentions to reintegrate Snodgrass in the West Ham squad seem to be at odds with the opinion of the club’s co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold who have both caused controversy by criticising the player publicly.
In an interview with The Guardian, Sullivan took a swipe at Snodgrass when speaking about the club’s transfer business last January saying his sons begged him not to sign the former Leeds United man.
Snodgrass responded by saying on Twitter: “Everyone tagging me in this like your all surprised. Thanks for your support MR CHAIRMAN.”
Meanwhile Gold also responded to a fan saying he doesn’t sleep at night thinking of the money wasted on the likes of Snodgrass, Andre Ayew and Jose Fonte.
So new comments from Steve Bruce in The Birmingham Mail will be music to the co-owners’ ears after the Villa manager admitted he is desperate to keep Snodgrass permanently and accepts he will cost ‘a lot of money’.
“I’ve had the joy of working with him for some time,” Bruce told The Birmingham Mail.
“I paid a lot of money for him when I was at Hull. He’s been very good for us since taking him on loan and he’s enjoying his football. We would love to sign him permanently.
“I think it’s fair to say that we have to get promoted to make it happen. Obviously he’s going to be a lot of money.”
Recouping some of their outlay in the over-inflated transfer market will suit the Hammers owners, even if it doesn’t suit Moyes.
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