Exeter City wonder-kid Ben Chrisene is on his way to Aston Villa after turning down a contract with the beaten League Two play-off finalists, according to DevonLive.
While Villa are yet to make any major additions to a squad which only secured its Premier League status on the final day of the 2019/20 season, the Midland giants are hard at work behind the scenes as they look to turn Bodymoor Heath into England’s answer to La Masia.
As the appointment of Mark Harrison and the £3 million signing of 16-year-old Louie Barry shows, Villa are serious about making their academy one of the best around.
Caolon McBride and Sil Swinkels are set to follow in Barry’s interest, joining from Glentoran and Vitesse Arnhem respectively, while talks are underway regarding Norwich City striker Ruben Shakpoke (AllNigeriaSoccer).
Chrisene, however, could be the best signing of the lot.
The teenage midfielder became Exeter’s all-time youngest debutant in August, breaking the record held by Chelsea and Wales midfielder Ethan Ampadu.
“He’s going to play at the top level, it’s as simple as that,” Grecians manager Matt Taylor told the BBC. “I think he’ll play at a top, top standard of football.”
Joining Villa would certainly represent a sizable step up the footballing ladder, with Chrisene expected to join Jacob Ramsey, Carney Chukwuemeka and Finnish goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo at Bodymoor Heath.
DevonLive adds that Villa have beaten Fulham and Bayern Munich to his signature.
Chrisene, who has rejected a new contract, will have his fee decided at a later date.
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