Aston Villa are close to completing the signing of defender Joe Bryan after having a bid accepted by his club Bristol City, according to journalist John Percy.
Percy, the chief Midlands football reporter for the Telegraph, issued the update on his personal Twitter account. The fee agreed between the two clubs is thought to be £6million.
#avfc have had a bid worth up to £6m for Bristol City defender Joe Bryan accepted. Could be the first major signing under Villa’s new owners
— John Percy (@JPercyTelegraph) August 6, 2018
Bryan’s signing would represent the first major arrival under Villa’s new owners, with the club yet to make a permanent purchase this summer.
The 24-year-old left back has been at Ashton Gate for his whole career, excepting loan spells, and scored seven goals in 48 appearances for the Robins last season.
Good move for Villa?
This seems like a fantastic move for Steve Bruce’s side. Welshman Neil Taylor is the only recognised left back at the club currently, meaning that this was an area of need for the Villans this summer. Bryan represents as good a full back as you’re likely to see in the second tier, combining solid defensive ability with a genuine attacking threat from the flanks. His seven goals scored last campaign demonstrates what a boon he is attacking-wise as well as at the back. Everybody expected Villa to spark into life in the transfer market as soon as the takeover was completed, but it’s taken them a little while to get going. Now, with the potential signing of Bryan, they’re really starting to kick on.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
As a fee has been agreed between the two clubs the only things stopping this move would be a failed medical or an inability to agree personal terms. Bryan played 90 minutes against Nottingham Forest on Saturday so fitness shouldn’t be an issue, while he’ll likely get a significant pay rise as well. This one seems like a done deal.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10