OPINION
Barnsley defender Andy Yiadom will be one of the hottest properties on the free agent market this summer, and Aston Villa must pounce to secure his signature.
The 26-year-old flyer’s contract at Oakwell is coming to an end in June, and it looks unlikely that he will sign a new deal with the Tykes.
Quite frankly, it has been obvious for a while that Yiadom should be playing at a higher level, and Villa must be the side who convince him of his next move.
This is not a deal that should be dependent on whether Villa are playing in the Championship or the Premier League next season, but one that should be targeted regardless.
Yiadom was a summer target for two Premier League teams, Swansea City and Huddersfield Town, and would no doubt be able to step up to that level should Villa reach the promised land this summer.
The 26-year-old Ghana international would be a massive step up from Villa’s current options at right-back, with Alan Hutton set to leave this summer and Ahmed Elmohamady not quite up to scratch.
His versatility, with Yiadom being able to play at centre-back as well as on the flank, is another reason for Villa to pull out all the stops to secure this deal.
A player that can cover two positions is a godsend at any level, especially when that player can fill both roles at the standard Yiadom does for Barnsley.
As reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom is planning to raid his former club for Yiadom this summer.
It is therefore clear that Villa will have a fight on their hands for the 26-year-old, and Steve Bruce must bend over backwards to seal the Barnsley flyer on a free.
If they do manage to pull it off however, then this would be the deal of the summer for Villa.