Aston Villa are reportedly keen on former Birmingham left back Amari’i Bell.
General view inside Villa Park
Aston Villa appear to have little money to spend this summer unless they sell players first, and a number of first-team regulars could be primed for the chopping block to raise funds.
The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that Italian side Sampdoria are keen to land left back Jordan Amavi, who has struggled to recapture his best form since a major knee injury in November 2015.
Leeds’ Chris Wood in action with Aston Villa’s Jordan Amavi
Whilst Villa signed Neil Taylor from Swansea City in January, manager Steve Bruce would almost certainly want another left back if Amavi leaves Villa Park – and one target could leave Birmingham City ruing their mistake.
The Daily Mail’s report claims that Villa are eyeing another left back, with Fleetwood Town’s Amari’i Bell believed to be on Bruce’s radar for a potential summer move to Villa Park.
Amari’i Bell of Fleetwood in action with Gary O’Neil of Bristol City
Bell, 23, has emerged as one of the Football League’s top full backs since joining Fleetwood in 2015, playing an important role as a left wing back under Uwe Rosler whilst impressing with his pace and attacking play.
A move to Villa Park could be appealing to Bell, and it would be all the galling for city rivals Birmingham given that Bell was on the books at St. Andrews – but he was released in the summer of 2015 when the Blues decided not to extend his contract.
Shrewsbury Town’s Shaun Whalley in action with Fleetwood Town’s Amari’i Bell
In four years with Birmingham, Bell was given just one first-team appearance, and having seen him excel in League One, putting himself in line for a Championship move, the Blues must not only regret releasing him, but also regret not giving him more of an opportunity to impress.
Seeing him turn out for Villa would really rub salt in the wounds for Birmingham, and whilst Cheick Keita could develop to be a top attack-minded left back for the club, they allowed one to slip through their fingers in Bell – and he could end up at Villa Park this summer.
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