Defender James Collins is reportedly keen on a move back to Aston Villa.
According to The Telegraph, defender James Collins has been holding off signing for Ipswich Town in the hope of Aston Villa making a move to sign him.
Collins, 35, left West Ham United this summer after his contract expired, bringing an end to his second spell with the East London club.
The Welshman initially joined the Hammers from Cardiff City in 2005, and spent four years with the club before heading to Aston Villa, and then returning to West Ham in 2012.
Collins has only turned out for three clubs over the course of more than 400 career appearances, and that may well continue as he allegedly seeks a move back to Aston Villa.
The Telegraph report that whilst Ipswich Town want to sign Collins, he has been hoping that Villa make a move to sign him, explaining why he hasn’t penned a deal with the Tractor Boys.
Villa are in desperate need of a centre back, but with the transfer window closed, they are restricted to free agents – and won’t be re-signing John Terry as he closes in on a move to Spartak Moscow.
Collins could now come into play for Villa and boss Steve Bruce, and with the veteran seemingly keen on a return to Villa Park over signing for Ipswich, a deal could make sense.
Collins make 108 appearances for Villa in his first spell with the club, scoring six goals, and his displays for West Ham even last season suggest he should still have enough in the tank to play in the Championship.
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