Championship duo Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers reportedly wanted Trent Sainsbury before he joined PSV Eindhoven.
After an impressive World Cup at the heart of Australia’s defence, Trent Sainsbury found himself at the centre of a transfer tug of war between Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers.
According to the Sun (24 June, page 60), the Championship duo were both keen to sign Sainsbury from Chinese Super League outfit Jiangsu Suning.
It was claimed that QPR saw the one-time Inter Milan loanee as a replacement for the crocked Darnell Furlong while, at Villa, the 26-year-old could have filled the void left by the departure and subsequent retirement of John Terry.
But, just when QPR and Villa appeared to be closing in, Sainsbury swiftly brought an end to their hopes by signing a three-year deal with PSV Eindhoven.
Although things are looking up at Loftus Road and Villa Park right now, did Sainsbury make the right decision?
On one hand, he is part of a PSV team who are sweeping all before them in the Eredivisie right now. Mark van Bommell’s side are five points clear of Ajax having won 11 games out of 11 and are playing some of the most attractive football anywhere in Europe.
Sainsbury is also playing Champions League rather than Championship football, coming off the bench during the unfortunate 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.
On the other hand, Sainsbury has been limited to just 131 minutes of football since signing for PSV and he would surely have played a much bigger role at both QPR and Villa. Trophies and European football are one thing, but the sweetness is soured when you are stuck on the bench.
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