Championship giants Aston Villa were competing with Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town to sign Newcastle United’s Rolando Aarons.
Newcastle United have been trying to land Kenedy on loan from Chelsea since the summer.
But, after a deal collapsed a few months back as the Premier League champions failed to find a replacement, it appears that Newcastle have got their man at last.
But while the arrival of Brazilian speedster Kenedy will be welcomed on Tyneside, one man who might not be too happy about his signing is Rolando Aarons.
The highly-rated winger has found some semblance of fitness this season after spending the best part of three years on the sidelines but missed his chance to impress during Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at home to Manchester City just after Christmas.
He has not been since since, and Aarons’ hopes of nailing down a place on the left have been badly damaged by the impending arrival of Kenedy.
And it remains to be seen whether the 22-year-old is still a Newcastle player by the end of the month. According to The Mirror, Aston Villa were one of a number of clubs, along with Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town, willing to offer the Jamaican an escape route; something Aarons may be in need of very soon.
Aarons would offer pace, tricky and invention to an often workmanlike Villa attack, and a loan move could be perfect for all parties, allowing the Newcastle academy graduate the chance to get his career back on track under the caring gaze of Steve Bruce.
Speculation has cooled in recent weeks, but Villa can do worse than enquire again with Aarons set to fall down the pecking order.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
