Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan was reportedly close to joinining Championship rivals Sheffield United in August – until Steve Bruce stepped in.
Scott Hogan was far from impressed when Steve Bruce blocked his loan move from Aston Villa to Sheffield United at the end of the summer transfer window.
The Republic of Ireland striker was close to a move to Bramall Lane, according to The Star, but Bruce was said to have personally intervened and blocked his move, despite Hogan having fallen down the pecking order at Villa Park.
“I wasn’t allowed to leave. He was adamant that he didn’t want me to go, he said I had a future playing as a striker and I was assured we were going to change the way we were playing,” Hogan, a £12 million signing from Brentford, told The Mail.
But what is the state of play heading into the January transfer window? Well, The Star believes that Sheffield United are still keeping tabs on Hogan and have discussed making another attempt to bring him to the Steel City.
The report adds, however, that United are fully aware that Aston Villa are unlikely to agree to a deal which could strengthen a promotion rival in the middle of a campaign.
As a result, it seems that Sheffield United will have to cool their interest until the end of the season, when a move could be more likely.
With Hogan’s former Brentford boss Dean Smith having replaced Bruce at Villa Park, it remains to be seen whether he can salvage his career with the Midland giants.
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