Dean Smith reportedly wants to reunite with Brentford pair Rico Henry and Yoann Barbet at his new Championship employers – Aston Villa.
If Aston Villa manager Dean Smith is still hoping to raid his former employers this summer, the door might soon be open.
According to Bild, Brentford have contacted the agent of Hamburg defender Josha Vagnoman ahead of the summer transfer window. The highly-rated German is a left-back of great promise, having helped Hamburg rise to second place in the Bundesliga.2 table.
And this could be good news for Villa. With left-back still something of a problem position at Villa Park, Wolves loanee Kortney Hause has impressed but remains a centre-half by trade, there are two impressive Brentford defenders Smith apparently wants to work with again.
The Express and Star claimed in December that versatile Frenchman Yoann Barbet is a target and so is Rico Henry (below), the former Walsall flyer who has been compared to a certain Ashley Cole in the past.
Both Barbet and Henry would give Villa a far better option on the flank, allowing Hause to return to his favoured central role if the Midland giants take up their option to sign him permanently.
And Brentford’s interest in Vagnoman could bode well. Brentford, with all due respect, are a selling club by trade and don’t be surprised if they sell Barbet or Henry if a big-money offer comes their way.
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