Aston Villa missed out on a deal for an unnamed left back in August.
Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has told the Birmingham Mail that he missed out on the signing of a new left back during the summer transfer window.
Villa brought in a host of new signings over the summer, as Bruce was allowed to bring in Sam Johnstone, Ahmed Elmohamady, John Terry, Chris Samba, Glenn Whelan and Robert Snodgrass.
However, having sold Jordan Amavi to Marseille – a decision which now looks like a huge mistake – Villa were also targeting a left back to replace the Frenchman.
Bruce does have January signing Neil Taylor at his disposal, but there is a lack of depth behind the Welsh international, with the Villa boss admitting to the Birmingham Mail that a deal for a young left back fell through over the summer despite being close to completion.
“At the time of the transfer window closing, we knew what we had got,” said Bruce. “We were very close to signing a young left-back in the summer but it didn’t quite happen. We were disappointed about it.”
“He would have been the ideal cover for Tayls, should something have happened to him. But with what we’ve got on our books, we’ll be fine. The players can play on the other side,” he added.
It’s unclear just who Villa’s mystery target was, but one player who fits the bill of what Bruce was describing is Fleetwood Town star Amari’i Bell.
Back in January, the Daily Star reported that Villa were in the race to sign Bell, whilst there were also murmurings of summer interest after the 23-year-old starred in League One.
Formerly of Villa’s rivals Birmingham City, Bell has become one of the top young talents in the Football League during his time with Fleetwood, and a move back to the Midlands could have been appealing after his history with West Brom, Solihull Moors and Birmingham.
With great pace, attacking ability and potential, Bell would have been an ideal player to bring in not only as competition for Taylor, but also as a direct replacement for Amavi – and whilst it may not have been Bell who Bruce targeted, he fits the bill considering Villa’s needs and the previous speculation, and Villa should certainly have him on their radar for January.
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