Derek McInnes’s Scottish Premiership hopefuls Aberdeen reportedly rejected a bid from Championship strugglers Aston Villa for defender Scott McKenna.
Aston Villa are worryingly short of centre-backs as things stand.
Despite losing both John Terry and Chris Samba in the summer and being forced to play Mile Jedinak in defence, Steve Bruce’s side still went ahead with loaning Tommy Elphick out to Hull City on transfer deadline day.
Perhaps they expected to sign a replacement before it was too late. According to the Scottish Sun, Aston Villa had a £7 million bid rejected for Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna on deadline day, leaving Bruce with only one specialist, senior centre-back in James Chester.
The Dons, to their credit, were determined not to sell McKenna this summer after losing so many of their key players in past windows and they stuck to their word.
But Aberdeen can expect a fresh challenge in January. Because the Mirror (2 September, page 48) reports that Villa are already planning a new approach for the 21-year-old, who Bruce is understood to be a big fan of.
McKenna emerged as a regular starter for Aberdeen last season and forced his way into the Scotland squad, too. He even captained his country in just his fourth international appearance, a friendly against Mexico in May.
Strong and combative, McKenna has the skill set if not the experience to replace former skipper John Terry. But Villa will have to make do with the struggling Jedinak for the next few months.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
