Connor Wickham has not played a Premier League game for Crystal Palace since 2016 and would be a terrific addition for Aston Villa.
Seven years ago, the then Sunderland manager Steve Bruce signed an 18-year-old centre-forward for £8 million. And, with just a few days to go in the summer transfer window, the Aston Villa boss should now consider a reunion.
It is common knowledge that Villa are hoping to sign a striker on loan before the end of August. According to the Birmingham Mail, Bruce is still hoping to bring in his top target, Chelsea’s England international Tammy Abraham, but so far the deal is proving difficult to get over the line.
So the former Wigan and Birmingham boss must scour the market for alternatives. And one player who does seem to be available on loan is Connor Wickham.
According to the Sun (12 August, page 59), Crystal Palace are prepared to loan out the striker, who has not played a competitive game since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in November 2016.
And a temporary move to Villa could suit all parties. With the likes of Scott Hogan, Keinan Davis and Rushian Hepburn-Murphy struggling with their own injury issues, Wickham would have a good chance of getting more minutes under his belt at Villa.
And the 6ft 2ins 25-year-old could suit the direct style embodied by Bruce, a man who knows him well from his time at the Stadium of Light all those years ago.
What better way for Wickham to get his career back on track?
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