Aston Villa were so close to signing Joe Bryan from Championship neighbours Bristol City, but he’s now playing Premier League football with Fulham.
15 minutes. That is how close Aston Villa were to completing the signing of Joe Bryan, according to their exasperated manager Steve Bruce anyway.
According to Bristol Live, Aston Villa had agreed a fee of £5 million, rising to £6 million, for the Bristol City left-back. Bryan had even agreed personal terms and completed a medical before, as we all know, Fulham swept in at the last minute.
And Bristol City manager Lee Johnson, in quotes reported by the Birmingham Mail, has admitted that he is quite relieved that Bryan has been given his opportunity in the Premier League – rather than joining a Championship rival.
“I was aware, of course, you know I’m quite close to Joe and Joe’s family. I didn’t want Joe to go and I was pleased in the end, to be honest, that he went to the Premier League rather than the Championship,” Johnson said.
“It’s better for him, it retains his cult status, if you like, at Bristol City. I’m pleased for him, I’m pleased for everybody part of his progression, to go on and play on the big stage, that’s the same as Bobby Reid (who also moved to the top flight with Cardiff City).”
Bryan was arguably the Championship’s stand-out left-back last season so you can hardly begrudge him for wanting to seize a chance to prove himself at the very top level.
Though Aston Villa certainly have a right to feel slightly aggrieved.
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