Smith signing could leave Aston Villa for free, club in no rush to keep him

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Kortney Hause could leave Aston Villa on a free transfer next summer as the defender will stay with Steven Gerrard’s side past the January window, according to Birmingham Live.

The centre-half is out of contract at the end of the term, but Villa Park chiefs are in no rush to extend his stay. Aston Villa do have an option to add one-year to Hause’s existing terms.

He joined the Birmingham outfit from Wolves in 2019 following a strong loan spell as Dean Smith’s fourth summer signing in a £3m deal. Aston Villa also gave Hause a three-year, £8k-a-week contract, but he has failed to become a first-choice presence in the Premier League.

Smith fielded Hause 18 times during the 2019/20 campaign after guiding Aston Villa back to the top-flight. But the 26-year-old only opened 17 games, and has only started 10 since.

The Redbridge-born enforcer played just seven times during last season between groin and foot injuries. He has also only featured four times so far this term, while starting just three.

Gerrard is yet to field Hause, having favoured Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa since replacing Smith at Aston Villa. He has instead only named the former England U21 international on the bench, with his last league appearance in October’s 4-1 defeat at home to West Ham.

Hause in no rush to commit future to Aston Villa with free transfer likely

Hause can begin to discuss moves away from Aston Villa once the January transfer window opens in three-weeks’ time. But the defender is likely to overlook potential winter moves and stay in Birmingham until his contract expires.

The 6 ft 3 enforcer is also not in any rush to recommit to the Villans given his lack of game time so far this term. But clubs, possibly Smith’s Norwich, may still explore his situation.

Gerrard could overlook any January transfer interest and keep Hause at Aston Villa for the rest of his contract, too. While the Villans boss has favoured Mings and Konsa, Hause and Axel Tuanzebe provide his only proven centre-back depth currently.