Middlesbrough are considering a move for Aston Villa’s Alan Hutton according to the Daily Mirror’s Live Transfer Blog (Sunday, 8:45).
The newspaper claim that the Championship big spenders are interested in the defender but would face competition from Aberdeen.
The Daily Mirror report that despite being a regular for the Villans this season, the 33-year-old’s contract is still set to expire in the summer and he can leave for nothing.
Hutton had his contract extended by a year last summer, as it was set to expire, after impressing Steve Bruce last season.
The defender has continued to keep his place in the side this season, making 19 appearances and grabbing two assists.
Since joining the club in 2014, Hutton has featured 154 times, which is the most appearances he has made for any club during his long career.
Good move for Aston Villa?
It’s a mixed bag. Hutton is still regular in the side but with his contract ending in the summer; it might be worth cashing in during the January transfer window.
It’s unknown whether the defender wants to stay or if Bruce has been equally as impressed with Hutton as he was last season.
It could all depend on whether the Villans get promotion, as Hutton would potentially still feature for Aston Villa in the Championship but he’s no longer good enough to be a Premier League regular.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10
Likely to happen?
With Financial Fair Play rules limiting who Aston Villa can sign, they may not been keen to lose players in this window, regardless of contract issues.
The defender would hardly garner a huge fee due to his age, so the Villans wouldn’t be able to use funds from his sale to strength with an adequate replacement.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10