Southampton and Leicester City have sent scouts to watch Kerr Smith but the Dundee United starlet is expected to join Aston Villa, as reported by The Sun (9 May, page 59).
Brexit could hardly have come at a worse time for Aston Villa.
The Midlands giants were just starting to embark on a new transfer strategy, one that revolved around scouring the European markets for some of the most exciting teenage talent in the game, snapping up Sil Swinkels, Lamare Bogarde and Oliwier Zych in summer 2020.
Once new legislation came into force on 1 January, however, Aston Villa were forced to return to the drawing board.
It’s now nigh on impossible for Premier League clubs to sign teenagers from EU countries, meaning clubs such as Villa have to look closer to home for highly rated youngsters.
And that’s perhaps why Smith, a Montrose-born centre-back, is suddenly a player in such high demand among clubs south of the border.
The Sun reports Southampton and Leicester have been watching the Dundee United prospect, who has enjoyed a brief trial at Manchester United.
The Sun reports Aston Villa remain Smith’s most likely destination at this stage, however, with the Midlands giants expected to pay an initial fee of £500,000, plus bonuses. The youngster has also trained at Villa.
Speaking to the Courier in October, Dundee United sporting director Tony Asghar confirmed Villa had held talks over a deal for Smith, one that could now be revisited eight months on.
“You’re talking about some of the biggest clubs in the world. Plenty of clubs have asked to have a look at (Smith) but we can’t let him go to them all,” Ashgar said.
“We’re delighted he’s had this chance at Villa and now Manchester United. He’s trained very well at both, I believe.
“It’s great for him but we want the best players at our football club and Kerr has the potential to be one of them.”
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