Aston Villa are scrambling for a centre back in the free agent market.
Aston Villa may have landed striker Tammy Abraham on loan from Chelsea on loan deadline day last week, but there was one major disappointment for manager Steve Bruce.
Villa have really strengthened in attack by landing Abraham, Anwar El Ghazi and Yannick Bolasie, but there are major defensive concerns for Bruce and co.
John Terry moved on over the summer, Chris Samba was released, and deals for targets Scott McKenna and Harold Moukoudi fell through on Friday.
Mile Jedinak has filled in at the back, but isn’t a centre back by trade, and a defender is needed, with The Birmingham Mail reporting that new owners Wes Edens and Nassed Sawiris are a little reluctant to sanction a move for top free agent target John Terry given his age.
There are other free agent centre backs available that may be a little more budget-friendly than Terry, and former QPR captain Nedum Onuoha is one such player.
The 31-year-old remains a free agent having decided to leave QPR at the end of last season, and reports from West London Sport earlier this week suggested that Onuoha is closing in on a move to Major League Soccer with Real Salt Lake.
That move hasn’t been finalised though, and with Villa desperate for a Championship-quality defender without breaking the bank, Onuoha fits the bill – especially given his history with Bruce.
Bruce took Onuoha on loan to Sunderland from Manchester City in 2010, and told The Independent that he wanted to make the move permanent, whilst Onuoha also praised Bruce’s management in an interview with Roker Report just three months ago.
Signing Onuoha instead of Terry maybe wouldn’t excite fans, but he is a proven Championship defender with vast experience, and has remained at a strong level having been QPR captain last season – and if Villa can move to scupper his Real Salt Lake move, he could be a cheap solution for Bruce in a bargain reunion.
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