OPINION
Steve Bruce is closing in on a deal for West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass, according to Football Insider sources.
The website claim that the player is set to be moved on after failing to convince manager Slaven Bilic that he can deliver the goods in the Premier League.
He will be allowed to leave on either a loan or a permanent deal.
Championship rivals Sunderland were also keen on a move for the 29-year-old but reportedly have pulled out of the race because they can’t afford him.
That leaves the road clear for Aston Villa and Steve Bruce, who signed the player when he was at Hull.
This Is Futbol looks at whether this would be a good move for Aston Villa and how likely the move is.
Good move for Aston Villa?
It would be a fantastic move for Aston Villa. Snodgrass has real Premier League quality, even if he didn’t manage to prove that while at the London Stadium.
He signed for West Ham in a deal worth over £10m and if Steve Bruce can make the finances work he’ll have a standout player in the Championship.
His Villa side need more creativity in the final third and Snodgrass can definitely provide that.
This Is Futbol rating: 10/10.
Likely to happen?
Football Insider seem fairly certain that Snodgrass is going to join the Midlands club, with Sunderland falling away in the race because of finances.
If anyone can persuade the player to drop down a division it’s Steve Bruce.
He’s already bagged John Terry in a standout deal for the midlands club and having worked with Snodgrass before at Hull, the two will know each other well.
This is a great chance for Snodgrass to prove himself again, help get Villa back in the Premier League and then go about proving Bilic wrong next season.
It’s an exciting deal for Aston Villa fans.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10.