Reports claim Aston Villa want Bristol City’s towering centre-back Aden Flint – but he could still be exactly what West Brom are looking for.
Liverpool will demand £30 million for Mamadou Sakho’s signature this summer, as reported by The Telegraph. Therefore, if the Frenchman’s impenetrable displays since joining Crystal Palace on loan in January had enticed interest from a number of Premier League rivals, the defender’s transfer fee means helping him escape from his Anfield hell may be easier said than done.
It certainly may make West Brom think twice. According to the Daily Mirror, Baggies boss Tony Pulis is more than interested in the former Paris Saint Germain captain but, despite West Brom being bankrolled by Chinese investors, it appears unlikely they will double their transfer record for Sakho.
Especially when they could swoop for a Premier League-ready centre-back for a fraction of the fee.
The Daily Mirror reported last summer that giant Bristol City defender Aden Flint had piqued West Brom’s interest after inspiring their Championship survival bid, with an offer of £2 million reportedly in the pipeline.
And after another influential season at Ashton Gate (Flint’s winning goal in Saturday’s 3-2 win against Barnsley looks to have secured City’s safety), the 27-year-old is likely to attract plenty of attention again this summer.
The Sun claimed on Sunday that Aston Villa are interested, with the club’s technical director scouting the defender personally. Now rated at £5 million, Flint would offer the leadership and backs-against-the-wall character Villa are crying out for, having given away far too many points from winning positions this season.
However, don’t expect The Baggies to be too far away from the action if Villa make the first move at the end of the season. With Gareth McAuley 37 years of age, West Brom are in need of a long-term replacement and Flint could fit the bill.
And like the former Leicester City and Ipswich Town defender, Pulis could find the ideal player in the league below.
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