Aston Villa are plotting an approach to sign Nottingham Forest attacker Joe Lolley, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claimed via their live transfer blog on Thursday [11:26am] that Dean Smith is attempting to strengthen his squad ahead of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign and wants Lolley, 26, to join the West Midlands club after a swoop in January failed.
It is understood that Nottingham Forest will fight to keep hold of the former Kidderminster star and will demand up to £10million for the boyhood Villa fan.
Good move for Aston Villa?
Lolley has had an amazing season in the Championship with Forest, scoring 12 goals and supplying 11 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions for the East Midlands club.
One of his best performances came against Villa in November when he scored and created four goals in the 5-5 draw at Villa Park.
He has clearly been on Aston Villa’s mind since that match and signing him in the summer could be a good way to bolster Smith’s attack force going into the Premier League.
Lolley has experience in the top-flight, but only a small amount having made six appearances, scoring one goal, in the Premier League for Huddersfield.
However if Villa can get him for £10million or less, it should be a decent addition to add some real strength in depth.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
Aston Villa tried to sign Lolley in January but failed, however with the financial boost of winning promotion to the Premier League, they should be able to tempt Forest into losing their key player.
Lolley is a boyhood Villa supporter so there is no doubt that he would want to have a second stab at playing in the top-flight for the club he loves.
This is certainly a transfer that could take place this summer.
This is Futbol rating 6/10