OPINION
Aston Villa are reportedly one of three Championship clubs looking to sign Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga before Thursday’s 11pm deadline.
TeamTalk have claimed that Leeds are currently in pole position but Aston Villa are also interesting in luring the 25-year-old away from the Bundesliga and into the second division of English football.
It is said that Wolves also want to sign the 11-time Germany Under-21 international, who is surplus to requirements with his current side after failing to make a single appearance this season.
The report claims Leeds have already had a move rejected by Lasogga, but are confident of now securing a deal with Chris Wood leaving to join Premier League side Burnley earlier this month.
But Steve Bruce could look to beat the Yorkshire giants to the signature of Lasogga, with Ivory Coast international Jonathan Kodjia still sidelined through injury at Villa Park.
This Is Futbol considers whether Aston Villa should go all out to sign the striker, and how likely it is if a deal can be struck between all three parties.
Good move for Aston Villa?
The Midlands giants are already boasting plenty of attacking talent in the final third, with Scott Hogan and Gabriel Agbonlahor vying for a place up front in the absence of Kodjia.
However, Hogan is yet to prove his £12million transfer fee that saw him join Bruce’s side from Brentford back in January, scoring just one Championship goal since his arrival. Similarly, Agbonlahor has scored just three goals in three seasons.
Adding a striker that can find the back of the net regularly could give Bruce the missing piece of the jigsaw in his attempts to gain Premier League promotion this season.
Bruce has seen his side win just one of five Championship outings this season, and extra fire power is needed. Lasogga could be that man, despite being unproven in England’s second tier.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10.
Likely to happen?
Leeds have been reportedly interested in signing Lasogga for the duration of the summer transfer window and it would take a lot for Villa to leapfrog their former Premier League opponents to sign the forward.
The Whites can offer first-team football following the departure of Wood, while Kodjia would still be expected to lead the line upon his return.
The contrasting starts to life in the Championship would also see Leeds offer a more glamorous move, as they sit in third with three wins and two draws in five league games.
Plenty of convincing would have to be done if Lasogga was to choose Villa over the Whites, with Wolves also showing just how effective they can be under new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
This Is Futbol rating: 3/10.