Aston Villa are expected to launch a bid for Nottingham Forest attacker Joe Lolley after securing promotion to the Premier League, according to journalist Laurie Whitwell.
The Daily Mail reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that the play-off winners, who defeated Derby at Wembley on Monday to secure a return to the top flight after two years in the Championship, are likely to move for the 26-year-old winger after his impressive season at the City Ground.
Would expect #avfc to make a bid for Joe Lolley now promotion confirmed. He's had a terrific season at Forest and could cost £10m. Boyhood Villa fan adds to appeal. More @MailSport #nffc
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) May 28, 2019
Lolley, who is said to be rated at £10million, has 11 goals and 11 assists to his name in 46 second tier appearances this season and is said to be a boyhood Villa fan.
Good move for Villa?
Lolley has been one of the stand out performers outside the Championship’s top six and it would be no surprise to see him snapped up by either a promotion chasing side or someone like Villa in the lower half of the Premier League.
His record of goals and assists is nothing to be scoffed at for a winger and with the ability to play in an attacking midfield role too, anyone securing his signing would be getting a very talented and versatile player.
Is he going to take Jack Grealish’s place in the midfield? Not a chance, so maybe that £10million asking price could ward them off. At the end of the day, he is not going to be a priority if Grealish does stay on board.
This is Futbol rating: 8/10
Likely to happen?
As stated, the biggest hurdle for Lolley to overcome is Grealish and while they might both be Villa supporters, there is only going to be one winner there.
He might have more luck out on the wing but again, Dean Smith has some seriously talented players out there and £10million is a hefty price tag for someone who is unproven in the Premier League.
Villa will have to splash the cash now they are back among the big boys but they cannot afford to blow it all at once.
This is Futbol rating: 5.5/10