Aston Villa are reportedly at an advanced stage to sign Dundee United defender Kerr Smith, with Steven Gerrard’s side making an offer for the teenager.
According to the Daily Mail, negotiations between the two clubs are reaching their climax, with another report from the same publication stating that Villa made an £800,000 bid for Smith in recent days.
The 17-year-old Scotland youth international is regarded as one of the most exciting emerging talents north of the border. As per the report, Gerrard has high hopes for Smith if he is to sign for Villa.
The Villa boss has worked fast this January in trying to improve the squad, with Phillippe Coutinho signing for the club on loan and Lucas Digne reportedly close to being completed.
Indeed, these two senior signings will greatly improve the Villa first team, whilst Smith will no doubt be a deal for the future. Villa’s academy is one of the best in England, and the Scotsman would be a smart addition to the U-23s for the remainder of the season.
With teammate Mark Connolly once labelling Smith as ‘fantastic’, Villa are seemingly landing a bargain in the 17-year-old. And it could prove to be a smart piece of business long-term for the Midlands club.
Smith could flourish at Villa based on recent youth success stories
Premier League clubs sometimes have a bad rap of how they treat youth players. Yet Villa can hold their head high and be proud of the work they have done, which gives Smith a good platform to succeed under Gerrard.
Jacob Ramsey has this season been one of the breakout stars in the Premier League. And with the likes of Cameron Archer and the Chukwuemeka brothers also playing regular football, Smith could be the next youngster at the club to break into the senior squad.
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