Premier League duo Aston Villa and Leicester City are reportedly going head-to-head for Luton Town’s James Justin.
Aston Villa have failed with a £7.5 million bid for James Justin, according to The Mirror (18 June, page 46), with Luton Town standing firm on the future of their prized asset.
A highly-rated and versatile full-back, Justin enjoyed a superb 2018/19 campaign to spark interest from clubs in the Premier League. He scored three goals and produced eight assists as The Hatters won League One, earning him a place in the EFL Team of the Season.
And with Aston Villa lacking depth and quality on both defensive flanks, Dean Smith’s newly promoted side appear to be prioritising a move for the 21-year-old after sealing the signings of Wesley Moraes, Kortney Hause, Jota and Anwar El-Ghazi.
But The Mirror claims that Villa’s opening bid of £7.5 million has been rejected. Leicester City are now set to move in with a £12 million offer and it remains to be seen whether Luton are more inclined to accept.
In truth, however, Aston Villa feels like the perfect destination for Justin – and not just because Smith has a fine track record when it comes to developing young, homegrown talents.
The Luton-born flyer would have a far better chance at securing first-team football at Villa given that Neil Taylor hardly looks secure at left-back. Alan Hutton, the experienced right-sided defender, has also been released.
So if Justin wants to take his career to the next step, he could do worse than to force through a switch to the Midlands.
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