OPINION
Aston Villa are likely to be picked apart this summer due to their major financial issues – and Leeds United must make sure they are around to pick up the scraps of what could potentially be a firesale at Villa Park.
Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay claimed on his personal Twitter account this week that the Villains will be listening to offers for pretty much all of their players this summer.
Re: Aston Villa. Was told last week that they're willing to listen to offers for virtually every player. Does sound like hard times ahead. Not the only Championship club feeling the pinch.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) June 6, 2018
One player who will likely be available is centre-forward Jonathan Kodjia, who is among the big earners at Villa and in a desperate attempt to slash the wage-bill, Steve Bruce may be tempted to selling him for a very cheap deal.
And that is where Leeds United must come in this summer.
They need strengthening in attack and while Abel Hernandez has been strongly linked, it would also be a very good idea to make a move for Kodjia, 28, thanks to his prolific goalscoring record in the Championship over the last few years.
Last season saw the Ivory Coast international sidelined a lot of the time with an ankle injury, but if he can get over the worst of that, he would be a stunning addition for Leeds.
Just looking at his dazzling 2016/17 season at Villa Park should be a good enough reason to go out and sign Kodjia after he hit 19 goals in 40 Championship appearances for a team that ended up finishing in the bottom-half.
The Mirror reports that the ex-Bristol City front man earns £35,000-a-week at Aston Villa.
Leeds don’t really spend much on wages, but owner Andrea Radrizzani may be tempted into splashing the cash out on wages if he can sign Kodjia for a cut-price fee.
It’s going to be a big summer at Elland Road, but they must by no means miss out on the Villa Park forward.