Aston Villa need a new striker and Championship rivals Derby County are looking to get rid of Cameron Jerome, so should Steve Bruce make a move?
Many Aston Villa fans have vented their frustration with Steve Bruce’s tendency to bring in ageing players on big wages. But that should not stop the Villa manager from looking to enhance his striking options with Cameron Jerome.
It is no secret that the Midland giants want to add one more centre-forward to their squad before Friday’s transfer deadline with the likes of Tammy Abraham, Shane Long and Isaac Success all linked of late.
Jerome, however, could be an easier man to snare.
According to The Mirror (live blog, 8.40pm), Derby County are willing to listen to offers for a player they only signed in January for £1.5 million. QPR, Reading, Ipswich, Blackburn and Hull City are all reported to be interested.
But should Aston Villa be in the race too? Jerome might not be an ambitious, eye-catching signing like Long or Abraham but, crucially, he knows what it takes to score goals in the Championship.
He hit six in 10 league starts for Derby last season and scored 16 for Norwich the campaign before that. Did we mention that Jerome has also been promoted twice with Birmingham and once with The Canaries?
At Championship level, there are few better than the 32-year-old. He wouldn’t cost a bomb either, so this feels like a low risk signing with potentially very big rewards.
Jerome could be this years’ answer to Lewis Grabban.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
