Aston Villa are interested in signing Queens Park Rangers midfielder Massimo Luongo, according to The World Game.
The Australian football outlet claim that the Villans along with Malaga and Crystal Palace are all keen to sign the 25-year-old central midfielder ahead of next season.
The World Game report that former Tottenham and QPR scout David Magrone believes that Luongo was ready to flourish at a higher level than QPR on the continent or in the Premier League.
The website also revealed that QPR director of football Les Ferdinand had previously acknowledged that it would be impossible for the London club to keep the midfielder if he added goals to his game.
Luongo has been in prolific form for QPR lately and has been lighting the Championship up, scoring four goals in his last seven league outings.
Good move for Aston Villa?
Yes.
The central midfielder has been in brilliant form all season, across the 36 appearances he has made, and looks to have finally found his form in front of goal.
That was arguably the midfielder’s only weakness, however it should be worth noting that at times, he has been used a defensive midfielder this season.
Steve Bruce is in need of adding some energy to his midfield ahead of next season, due to his aging squad, and Luongo would be the ideal signing.
This Is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
Depends if the Villans win promotion.
Crystal Palace, who are reported as interested, could stay in the Premier League and offer Luongo an opportunity to play in England’s top-flight, giving them edge over the Villans in the race for Luongo’s signature.
However La Liga’s Malaga, who reportedly contacted QPR about the midfielder in January, shouldn’t be competition as they look like dropping out of Spain’s top-flight this season.
Bruce could also use Villans midfielder Mile Jedinak to lure Luongo to Villa Park as the pair regularly play together for Australia and are both expected to be at the World Cup with the Socceroos in the summer.
This Is Futbol rating: 5/10