In the prematch press conference for the Norwich game, Villa boss Steve Bruce admitted “there are one or two things bubbling away” in terms of final transfer business for the summer window.
With Ross McCormack AWOL, Jonathan Kodjia still out and Scott Hogan injury-prone, Bruce said the focus for any final incoming traffic was for “the attacking half of the pitch”.
So, in terms of Bruce’s attacking cavalry options, it seems a bit thin on the ground at the moment in terms of anything concentrate, apart from this guy…
Gallagher Interest Confirmed
Sam Gallagher’s promising loan spell at Blackburn last season, where he got into double figures with a 1-in-4 scoring ratio, has put several Championship clubs on red alert in terms of getting the young striker’s services on loan this season.
“I think every club in the Championship has been linked with (Gallagher) because we do believe he is now available from Southampton,” said Bruce, this week.
“It’s something that interests us, yes.” He confirmed.
At six foot four, the 21-year-old could potentially give Villa a different type of option up front, although Keinan Davis’s impressive performance against Norwich may diminish the need to chase Gallagher too hard now.
Hammer Offer Snodgrass
Having joined West Ham last January for £10m is it likely that Robert Snodgrass will entertain dropping to the Championship?
Well, this is one that may run to the end of the window, as the Hammers have told the 29-year-old he can leave either on loan or permanently.
As well as Steve Bruce’s interest for a loan (he previously signed him for Hull City), Sunderland are in the mix and previous club Norwich could be a loan shot too.
Snodgrass certainly was decent during his time at Leeds, Norwich and also Hull, but that may mean that he still has the credentials to still find a Premier League home before the window closes.
Wild Wilshire
The link to Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere was always BS and not worth reporting here, but it was brought up in the Norwich press conference, for Steve Bruce to rule out on the record.
“I don’t know where that has come from, but if he wants to come here he’s more than welcome to!” Joked Bruce.
Colback link addressed
Also links reported in the North-East local press to Newcastle United’s Jack Colback were shot down by the Villa manager.
“I had Jack as a boy [at Sunderland] but there’s no truth it in that,” said Bruce, of the 27-year-old midfielder.
Nothing to see here.
Ross Not the Boss
For most of the summer transfer window Sunderland were the club most likely to offer up a home for Ross McCormack. Alas, it seems no longer though. The press currently suggest Leeds United are in pole position.
McCormack is obviously not an on-going concern for Villa anymore, if he can’t even get into this Villa squad with it’s striking injuries.
Will the Villa board save face on this disaster of a transfer deal? It’s hard to see how.
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Both players are good. All ager impressed me at Villa Park last season. But he is on his way across the city. Snodgrass is too a good player, good enough for the prem though. But, neither is any better or even as good as what we have on paper who arn’t in the team even! What we need is a manager who can manage the players at his disposal, including those he conned the club into paying over the odds for, when he was incapable of managing what he had.
Snodgrass – YES; he has craft, energy and can score goals from free kicks and has decent delivery. Gallagher – YES; don’t know why but can’t be worse than our players. Get on with it – a few more games and our season will be over. Really!!!
Bubbling away is no good if we are interested in signing them just get the job done before someone else beats us to it as is usual . If we played as well as we talk about new signings we would have nothing to worry about.