OPINION
Aston Villa could play a blinder by signing Fulham forward Floyd Ayite after it was reported that the West Midlands club has been in talks over a potential January deal.
The Mirror reported via their live transfer blog on Saturday that Ayite, 30, is among a number of players that Fulham have told they are free to leave Craven Cottage this month, and Villa appear to have already made their interest known.
An issue for the Villains is that West Brom, Leeds United and Middlesbrough have also spoken to the Premier League club, and all of them are better placed for a push for promotion this season, as it stands.
However although Villa are lower in the Championship standings, they would surely be in pole position to sign Ayite as Yannick Bolasie’s departure earlier this week opened up a potential space in Dean Smith’s side for the Togo international.
Ayite is an extremely versatile forward player, who can play up front or on both wings.
During Fulham’s promotion-winning campaign last year, in which they beat Villa in the play-off final at Wembley, Ayite made 29 appearances in all competitions and scored four goals in the process.
While he is not prolific in front of goal, the pacey ex-Bordeaux attacker played in multiple positions for the Cottagers and Slavisa Jokanovic clearly relied up on his versatility as his side won promotion.
Ayite could be a game-changing signing for Aston Villa if they are able to sign the Togolese ace before deadline day next week.
Bolasie may not have been a star for the Villains, but his absence will be felt if Smith fails to fill the void he has left – and Ayite will fill it perfectly.