LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

Do Steve Bruce’s transfer plans mean the end is near for Alan Hutton at Aston Villa?

Barnsley's James Bree (L) in action with Fleetwood Town's David Henen (Reuters)
Follow us on Google Discover

Aston Villa are reportedly hoping to sign James Bree in the January transfer window.

According to the Sun, Aston Villa are attempted to sign James Bree from Barnsley in the January transfer window, and his arrival could spell the end of Alan Hutton.

The Sun report that Steve Bruce is prepared to put Bree straight into his first-team, if he does sign at Villa Park.

Barnsley's James Bree (L) in action with Fleetwood Town's David Henen

The 19-year-old has attracted the attention of a number of clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, but the prospect of playing regularly could lure him towards Villa.

If Bree does sign for the claret and blues his arrival would put Hutton’s future in major doubt.

The Scotland international is not the most popular figure at Villa Park, and if he isn’t a regular it seems questionable whether Bruce would want to keep the 32-year-old.

Aston Villa's Alan Hutton in action with Middlesbrough's Viktor Fischer

Hutton is on a sizeable contract at Villa, and has reached a stage of his career when he is unlikely to be satisfied with being a back-up option.

If Bree does join, it would surely be an indication that Bruce feels that Hutton’s time at Villa has come to an end, after a seven year stay with the Midlands club.