Aston Villa spent big on Jonathan Kodjia, Ross McCormack and Scott Hogan last year but Dutch striker Tom Boere would be a lot cheaper.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
Thanks to fears of breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, it appears that Aston Villa won’t be splashing out any eight figure sums on new centre-forwards this summer.
And, following links with Real Zaragoza’s 30-year-old striker Angel, speculation has intensified that they are tracking another under-the-radar goalscorer available for a far from elaborate fee.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Dutch forward Tom Boere has piqued Villa’s interest after a sensational season in the Dutch second tier. Plying his trade for FC Oss, the 24-year-old struck 33 goals in just 38 league appearances.
And, despite being contracted to the club until 2018, the one-time Ajax youngster appears certain to leave this summer with a number of clubs across the continent sniffing around.
Tom Boere (L) represented Holland at the 2009 Under-17 World Cup
The report adds that Eredivisie outfit FC Twente are the only side to have made a formal offer so far though Serie A newcomers SPAL and Belgian giants Anderlecht are also in the running.
Therefore, Villa would have to move fast if they want to lure Boere across to England this summer.
Yet, Dutch football, with its lackadaisical approach to defending, is not usually the most accurate barometer of a striker’s talent. After smashing 30 goals for Excelsior in the Eerste Divisie, Lars Veldwijk managed one in 17 for Nottingham Forest after making the move in 2014.
Will Boere succeed where Lars Veldwijk failed?
Consequently, Boere would not arrive at Villa Park to huge expectations. Though his scoring record suggests he may be worth the risk.
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