Rhian Brewster has been linked with a move to Aston Villa (Getty Images)
According to Daily Mail, Aston Villa have entered the transfer race for the signature of Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster.
The 20-year-old Reds academy graduate spent the second half of the 2019-20 season on loan with Championship side Swansea City, steering them to a top-six finish on the final day. Brewster impressed with 11 goals from 22 games across all competitions for the Swans, prompting the Reds to involve him in the club’s pre-season training camp in Evian this month.
Considered a future starter, Liverpool, however, believe that a Premier League loan spell would be the right decision for their rising star. Sensing the opportunity, a host of Premier League clubs including Newcastle, Brighton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa are now vying for talented striker’s signature.
Villa, meanwhile, had expressed an interest in Brewster before he joined Swansea. Given the current situation, Dean Smith’s side now hope that they could come to an agreement with Liverpool over a move for their former target.
A weak attack saw Aston Villa finish 17th in the league standings in their first season back from the Championship.
One of the major reasons for Villa’s dismal show last season was the lack of a consistent goal-scorer. First-choice striker and summer signing Wesley could manage just five league goals before being sidelined for the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament rupture.
Wesley’s injury forced Villa to rope in Mbwana Samatta from Belgian side Genk back in January but the 27-year-old has been equally unimpressive, scoring just one goal in 14 league appearances.
Apart from these two, Villa have academy graduate Keinan Davies and 28-year-old Scott Hogan as backup. While Davies is yet to open his Premier League account, Hogan is clearly not a favourite, having spent last season on loan with Championship sides such as Birmingham City and Stoke City.
Considering all this, Villa’s decision to rope in the in-form and rising starlet Brewster seems like the safest bet at the moment. Hence, they shouldn’t think twice about bringing the Reds striker on loan to Villa Park.
It is clear that Villa needs a consistent goal-scorer. Brewster has already proved his potential during his short loan spell with Swansea last season. Moreover, he could get more game time at Villa, which in turn, would be helpful for Dean Smith.
