BBC Radio Leeds pundit Noel Whelan has claimed that he “wouldn’t be surprised” to see Aston Villa sign Cardiff City goalkeeper Neil Etheridge this summer.
WalesOnline have reported that Villa’s opening bid worth £8million has been rejected by the Bluebirds, who want over £10million for the 60-times Philippines international.
Although they are yet to agree a fee, ex-Leeds striker Whelan expects Etheridge to reunite with his former Walsall manager before the start of next season.
“He looks the one Dean Smith wants,” Whelan told Football Insider. “He is not going to get players he doesn’t know about, or isn’t sure about. He likes players that he has seen and knows their game.
“There is that history there with Etheridge and we saw that Villa needed a keeper last season. It has been a problem position for them.
“They are going to need greater strength in depth for the Premier League, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Etheridge to come in and one of the current ones go out on loan.”
OPINION
Etheridge would be a very good signing for Aston Villa this summer. As Whelan points out, the West Midlands club has struggled with goalkeepers since Sam Johnstone left so Smith needs to find someone who can add a bit of continuity to that role while also being someone that is ready to play in the Premier League. Etheridge proved at Cardiff last season that he is more than good enough for the top-flight as he kept 10 clean sheets in 38 appearances. Although Jed Steer did well for Villa in the final stages of last season, he is not a long-term solution in that role while Orjan Nyland and Lovre Kalinic have been disappointing. Etheridge is an upgrade on everyone Smith has and he has previously worked with the 6ft 2 [transfermarkt] colossus, so this transfer would make a lot of sense, as long as Cardiff are willing to let their shot-stopper leave.