According to the Mirror, Aston Villa are interested in signing Barry Bannan. Villa boss Dean Smith is planning to make Bannan his first signing of the winter but to do so, the club must part with £8m to snap up the midfielder from Sheffield Wednesday. With Villa trailing division leaders Norwich City, Smith needs to sign reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Aston Villa are currently 8th in the Championship after 18 games, winning 7, drawing 6 and losing 5 games so far. And as a result, the 28-year-old could provide extra creativity in Villa’s midfield. Bannan was previously on Aston Villa’s books for six seasons between 2008 and 2013 before moving on to Crystal Palace.
Bannan has played in 17 Championship games for Sheffield Wednesday this season, scoring twice and providing two assists. The 28-year-old can play either as a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder. With Villa having conceded 25 goals, a midfielder who can be deployed as cover ahead of their centre-backs will be a welcome option.
Bannan is an effective midfield player and is adept at holding on to the ball. He is an excellent reader of the game and the former Scotland international can play through balls and key passes to centre-forwards in the final third.
Bannan has exceptional vision and his creativity is capable of lifting Villa towards the top end of the table. The 28-year-old has averaged 2.3 key passes this season. The goalscoring opportunities Bannan has been creating for Sheffield Wednesday would be vital for Villa’s promotion hopes.
The Scot is a complete midfielder, given his excellent defensive contribution. Should Aston Villa land him, his potential partnership with John McGinn would be an exciting prospect. Jack Grealish’s inconsistencies have affected McGinn, who started the season well but has struggled due to a lack of support in the middle of the park.
Barry Bannan is at his peak with Sheffield Wednesday right now, playing football to the best of his abilities. Having been at Villa Park for a period of five years, the temptation to return to the Birmingham club could be intense.
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After an underwhelming start to the season, signing a player of Bannan’s potential in the January transfer window would represent a major coup and statement of intent by new manager Dean Smith.
