Aston Villa journalist Ashley Preece has been sharing his thoughts on the possibility of the Midlands club making a move to sign a new centre-back during the remainder of the summer transfer window.
This comes after Preece made an appearance on a recent episode of the Birmingham Mail’s Claret & Blue Podcast, where he spoke about a range of topics concerning Dean Smith’s side.
On the topic of the summer transfer window and whether or not Villa will look to add a new centre-back to their squad before the deadline, Preece had this to say.
He said: “I think Villa are short there.
“To go into the season with Tyrone [Mings], Ezri [Konsa] and Kortney Hause is solid enough, but I think they need one more.
“They’re going to fight on three fronts this season, I think they need one more just to be sure. A deal there could go on later in the window.
“People are obviously aware of Axel Tuanzebe’s availability so discussions may be there, [he] fits the bill for me, but whether he wants to come in and play second fiddle behind Ezri Konsa – that’s the big question there.
“I don’t think Villa are pressed on that as it stands, but I expect them to sign a new centre-back in the upcoming weeks before deadline day.”
So far in this summer transfer window, Villa have brought in Emi Buendia from Norwich City for a reported fee of £34.56 million as well as Ashley Young on a free transfer from Italian champions Inter.
TIF Thoughts on Ashley Preece’s comments on Villa potentially signing a new centre-back this summer…
Given how Villa are currently heading into the new season with just the three centre-backs that Preece mentioned, we feel that it would be in the club’s best interests to secure the singing of at least one centre-back before the summer transfer window deadline in case any of their current defenders pick up an injury that keeps them out of action for a period of time.
Do you think Villa need to sign another centre-back this summer?
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In terms of Tuanzebe, who Preece stated is reportedly available for a loan from Manchester United, perhaps Smith could be persuaded into bringing the Englishman back to Villa Park for another loan spell as he did previously, given the experience he has of playing in a Villa shirt.