Aston Villa are expected to be busy in the transfer market this month.
Reports emerged yesterday of Newcastle United’s interest in signing Derby County forward Tom Ince this month for around £8 million, according to the Sun, but it is another Championship side whose need for the 24-year-old is far greater.
Aston Villa have already sold Rudy Gestede, and are set to be without star striker Jonathan Kodjia for up to a month, due to his participation int he African Cup of Nations.
Add to this the fact that Ross McCormack has failed to live up to expectations at Villa Park since his summer switch, and Steve Bruce is left with very few quality options in forward areas.
Derby’s Tom Ince
And the Villans should seriously consider entering the race for Ince, who Bruce managed for a season during their time together at Hull City.
The Rams forward can play anywhere along the frontline, and with his pace and trickery, he would bring something entirely different to the Villa side.
With the £8 million fee that the Magpies are prepared to pay for Ince, as reported by the Sun, Villa would easily be able to compete, especially after receiving £6 million for Gestede.
Derby’s Tom ince in action
And if they are serious about gaining promotion to the Premier League, the Derby man would be the ideal acquisition, to help fire them up the table and into play-off contention.
One potential problem, however, is whether Ince would be prepared to swap the iPro Stadium for Villa Park, with Steve McClaren’s Derby in a much stronger position than Villa, five points and five places ahead of the Midlands outfit.
Villa, on the other hand, arguably have more potential than Derby, so it could be a tough decision for the 24-year-old, should Steve Bruce come in for him this month.
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