Premier League newcomers Aston Villa are eyeing a summer move for free agent striker Daniel Sturridge this summer, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Villans are eager to bring the England international ‘home’, after he spent several years with the club’s academy as a youth player.
The 29-year-old is available on a free transfer after his release from Champions League winners Liverpool, while there is interest from abroad in the former Red.
Sturridge has scored 77 top-flight goals over the course of his career, potentially providing Villa with some vital goalscoring nous.
Good move for Villa?
This seems like a smart move from Villa, if they can afford the former Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool man. Obviously they can afford his transfer fee – he’s available for free, dummy – but in terms of wages, can they offer enough to convince the Englishman to shun the interest in him from abroad?
Obviously Sturridge didn’t have his best season with Jurgen Klopp’s side last time out, or in the past few years, but he’s still a decent player who flashed some real talent at times last term. Last October Danny Murphy said on talkSPORT: “He’s as good as there is in the Premier League”.
What the striker would provide Villa with is some vital Premier League experience. He has been a fine goalscorer in the top flight over the course of his career, but injuries have always been an issue. However, the fact Villa wouldn’t be paying a transfer fee could negate the injury risk.
This is Futbol rating: 7/10
Likely to happen?
It all depends on how much Sturridge wants to remain in England, you’d think. He’s clearly got offers from further afield, and so this all hinges on what Sturridge fancies next. However, the pull of returning to Villa could be enough for the Villans to snare him. Sturridge might think he’s got a point to prove in the Premier League still.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10