Aston Villa boss Dean Smith is reportedly set to change tact over signing a defensive midfielder with James Ward-Prowse looking likely to remain with Southampton.
According to the Athletic, the Villa manager will begin to consider other options in the market with Ward-Prowse a transfer that is ‘hard to pull off’. Smith is eager to add in the position this window.
Villa have been one of the most active teams in the market this summer. With the Midlands side making three big-name first-team signings.
Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings have all joined. Whilst Jack Grealish departed for Manchester City for a British transfer record.
Indeed, Villa’s summer spending doesn’t seem to be done. A central midfielder is next on the list for Smith. The club currently have Douglas Luiz and John McGinn as the starting pair in the base of a 4-2-3-1 formation.
However, with rumours circling that there could be a change of formation next season to accommodate the new arrivals at Villa Park, an extra midfielder could be signed to make the Birmingham club more flexible tactically.
Whilst Luiz and McGinn offer a lot from midfield, the departure of Grealish from Villa means that the side have lost a key dribbler. As well as a set-piece taker, something Ward-Prowse is well regarded for at Southampton.
Indeed, this could be why Smith is eager to sign the England international. However, with Southampton sticking to their guns over Ward-Prowse, Villa will likely have to look elsewhere for a midfield signing.
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