Aston Villa looking for a new striker to sort out “toothless” attack, could any of these Bournemouth, Liverpool, Southampton or Watford stars do the job?
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce is targeting a new striker after his side showed what he described to the Birmingham Mail as a “toothless” attack during a 2-1 defeat to Reading in the Championship on Tuesday.
According to the same newspaper, due to financial constraints at Villa Park a loanee from a Premier League club remains the most likely acquisition upfront, so here are four options for the Villans.
Sam Gallagher of Blackburn Rovers controls the ball from Jake Bidwell of Queens Park Rangers.
Sam Gallagher
Linked with the club by the Birmingham Mail on a permanent deal, Gallagher has since signed a new contract with current side Southampton.
That said, his first team opportunities could well be limited in 2017/18 and after scoring 11 league goals while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season, so perhaps another temporary deal is a possibility.
Lys Mousset
Signed from Le Havre in the summer of 2016, many may not be sure who Mousset is after he made just 14 appearances for Bournemouth last term and failed to find the net – well at the right end, after scoring an own goal against Stoke City.
Not exactly a great recommendation, but the 21-year-old is still highly rated by Cherries manager Eddie Howe and after scoring 14 goals in 34 games in Ligue 2 before his move, perhaps a spell in the English second tier would do him good.
Dominic Solanke
Whether Jurgen Klopp would allow Solanke to leave on loan after joining from Chelsea this summer is unclear, especially as he came off the bench for Liverpool’s 3-3 opening day Premier League draw with Watford.
However, the 19-year-old is competing with Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and, when fit, Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge for a place up top and for that reason maybe Klopp could be convinced to let him go to achieve regular first team experience.
Isaac Success
Often used as a winger last campaign after joining the Hornets for a then club record fee of £12.5m (BBC) in 2016, the 21-year-old can also play as a number nine.
The arrival of Andre Gray at Vicarage Road has seen Success fall down the pecking order too, so maybe a loan spell at Villa could be negotiated.
Alan Hutton of Aston Villa and Isaac Success of Watford during the pre season friendly match.
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