OPINION
Derby are reportedly closing in on a move to sign Leicester City forward Tom Lawrence this summer after the attacker asked to leave the Foxes, but Aston Villa should make an eleventh-hour move.
Telegraph journalist John Percy claimed on his personal Twitter account that the 23-year-old forward is in advanced talks with Gary Rowett’s Rams this summer, as they look to replace the loss of Tom Ince.
It is said that the two clubs could agree over a fee worth more than £7million for the services of the six-time Wales international, who starred in the Championship with Ipswich Town last season.
Derby now in advanced talks to sign Tom Lawrence from Leicester. Lawrence has asked to leave. Deal could be £7m+ #dcfc #lcfc
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) August 13, 2017
The former Manchester United trainee scored 11 goals and laid on the same amount in assists, as Lawrence took to the field in the blue of Ipswich 36 times in all competitions.
Aston Villa have completed a handful of new signings this summer but are yet to seriously add width to their side, with Ahmed El-Mohamady better deployed at right-back while Josh Onomah is a number 10.
Making an eleventh-hour bid to sign Leicester’s number 16 this summer would finally give Steve Bruce the attacking width he is crying out for, with serious improvement needed after the club’s 3-0 loss to Cardiff on Saturday.
Jack Grealish is sidelined until the end of 2017 with a kidney injury while Ross McCormack is expected to leave the club before the end of the transfer window.
It leaves just Albert Adomah and Andre Green as options out wide, with the latter yet to be proven at Championship level while Gabriel Agbonlahor should be used as a striker instead of a winger.
Lawrence, who can play anywhere in the final third, starred on the left flank with the Potters last season and at £7million, he is a bargain compared to some of the transfer fees being thrown around in the window so far.
Luring him to Villa Park will give the Midlands outfit that added attacking kick needed to boost their promotion charge, as Bruce looks to secure a fifth career promotion from the second tier of English football.