Rangers are reportedly hoping to sign teenager Rushian Hepburn-Murphy.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has told the Birmingham Mail that he will do everything he can to make sure that Rushian Hepburn-Murphy stays at Villa Park.
Hepburn-Murphy, 18, has come up through the ranks at Villa Park, with the Birmingham-born attacker joining his hometown club at the age of just eight.
Long considered as one of Villa’s hottest prospects, the striker has only played three games for Villa, but has played eight times for England at various youth levels, and looks to have a very bright future ahead of him.
Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce
However, that future may actually lie away from Villa Park. Hepburn-Murphy’s contract expires at the end of the season, and the Daily Mail report that talks over a new deal have reached an impasse – and Rangers are eyeing a swoop.
The Gers exploited a contract loophole to sign four players – Matt Crooks, Josh Windass, Jordan Rossiter and Joe Dodoo – for nominal compensation over the summer after their contract expired, with Scottish clubs able to pick off out of contract players in England under the age of 24.
Aston Villa Manager Steve Bruce
Hepburn-Murphy is now being lined up as the latest player that Rangers want in that kind of deal, but Villa boss Steve Bruce is determined not to lose his young starlet.
Bruce told the Birmingham Mail that he and the club will do everything they can to keep hold of Hepburn-Murphy, even revealing that he held talks with the teenager’s parents in midweek to discuss his future.
Bruce admitted that he rates Hepburn-Murphy highly, and hopes he can fulfil his potential at Villa Park, rather than at Ibrox or anywhere else.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce
“We will do everything we can to tie him up,” said Bruce. “We like him and we will do everything we can. I met his parents in the week to have a conversation with them to say how much we think of him. He has been in the academy here since he was eight. I would hope he can fulfil all his potential and everything he wants to be.”
“He is a very good young player. I have only just seen the boy because he had a virus recently but I saw him play for the first time on Monday night when he scored twice. We like him,” he added.
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