OPINION
Aston Villa can land automatic promotion this season if they join the reported race for available attacker Benik Afobe in January.
The Sun claims that Premier League side Bournemouth want to sell the centre-forward, but that West Brom and Wolves are keen on a deal.
It is understood that the 24-year-old is priced at £12million by Bournemouth and that an exit is on the cards in the next transfer window.
Villa should jump the queue for the striker and splash out the cash to bolster their frontline.
Steve Bruce’s side are keen on bringing in a new forward in January and could do with some strong competition alongside Scott Hogan, Keinan Davis and Jonathan Kodjia.
The Midlands giants have found success in recent weeks with playing a two-man attack and that is something that would suit Afobe, who has shown he works effectively alongside a partner.
He enjoyed success in the Championship in the past for Wolves and stuck up a brilliant partnership alongside Nouha Dicko.
The DR Congo international has the physical strength to hold up the ball and that could help him link up with some talented players at Villa.
Villa may need some extra firepower to get them over the line in the hunt for promotion and the Bournemouth striker would be a perfect fit.
Afobe has 86 Championship appearances under his belt and has scored 26 goals in return, proving he can be effective in the division.
At the age of just 24 he still has time to develop and should have a point to prove after a frustrating spell at Bournemouth.
Afobe has scored 10 goals in 52 Premier League appearances, but is currently struggling to cement his position as he competes alongside Joshua King and Jermain Defoe.
However, a fresh move to Villa could reignite his best form to get his career back on track and Bruce’s side would have a formidable attacking line up if he signed.