Fulham’s Lasse Vigen Christensen wants fresh start – how about at Aston Villa?

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Aston Villa courted Lasse Vigen Christensen in 2014 – but now Fulham are likely to be far more receptive to an offer.

If Fabian Delph had departed Aston Villa for Manchester City a year earlier, Lasse Vigen Christensen may already be playing his football in claret and blue.

According to the Daily Mirror, Villa had identified Fulham’s Danish youngster as the ideal replacement for their wantaway club captain in the summer of 2014. However, the 20-year-old would have cost the club £5 million back then – pocket change to current owner Tony Xia but a large slice of the transfer warchest made available by previous incumbent Randy Lerner.

The problem, however, beyond Delph’s decision to stay for one last year, was that Fulham were unwilling to part with one of their prized assets. Though the story may be different this summer.

The Daily Mail claim that Christensen is now considering his future at Craven Cottage after struggling to live up to exalted early expectations. The now 22-year-old slipped out of the first-team picture under Slavisa Jokanovic and joined Burton Albion on loan in January.

And, with the dynamic midfielder desiring a fresh start, you’d imagine he would be receptive to links with Birmingham City and League One champions-in-waiting Sheffield United, not to mention Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.

And if Villa were to renew their interest, a deal would be far easier to strike this summer.

Though Villa spent big in January signing two of the Championship’s finest midfielders, Henri Lansbury and Conor Hourihane, manager Steve Bruce needs extra depth in his squad if they are to challenge for promotion over a 46-game season.

Christensen, a deep-lying, shuttling midfielder who idolises Christian Eriksen, could offer Villa some quality in reserve. After flattering to deceive at Fulham, he would have a lot to do to earn a place in a midfield consisting of Lansbury, Hourihane and the imperious Mile Jedinak, however.

And therein lies a potential problem. If Christensen wants a fresh start, surely regular starts is top of his list of priorities. And although he could be a useful addition to Villa’s squad, would he be better off joining a side lower down the league?