Championship side Leeds United and Premier League outfit Newcastle have been linked with a swoop for Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia
With Aston Villa stuck in a financial crisis of their own making, it seems a lot longer than two years since they made Jonathan Kodjia the most expensive player in the history of the Championship.
As reported by Sky Sports, Villa paid £15 million to sign the Ivorian striker after a superb debut season at Bristol City. But with Steve Bruce’s side in dire need of raising funds to avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions, they could be forced to cash in on their record signing.
And, as reported by the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa’s desperation means Kodjia could be sold at a loss. It is understood that the 28-year-old could earn Villa a fee of around £12 million this summer.
That is not an insignificant fee, however, and would represent a decent windfall for a Villa side needing to raise about £40 million.
It remains to be seen whether the likes of Leeds United and Newcastle, who were linked with Kodjia by the Express and Star, would be willing to pay that sort of figure, however.
Leeds appear to have cooled their interest in Matej Vydra due to excessive costs and Kodjia could command a similar fee to the Derby talisman. Newcastle, however, have made just a smattering of eight-figure signings in the decade-long reign of Mike Ashley.
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