According to a report from the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa are interested in Lincoln City forward Bruno Andrade.
The Portuguese, 25, was one of Lincoln City’s top performers as they stormed to the League Two title, scoring ten goals while providing a further six assists under manager Danny Cowley. His performances have apparently attracted attention from Aston Villa and Portsmouth, who are up against Sunderland in the League One playoff semi-finals.
Aston Villa are just one game away from returning to the Premier League after beating West Brom in the Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday. They will face Derby County in the playoff finals after the Rams beat Leeds United at Elland Road last night.
Jack Grealish and Tammy Abraham have been the undisputed stars of this Villa side, but Dean Smith will likely be without the latter next season. Abraham scored 26 goals in 39 games for the Midlands outfit and scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out against West Brom to send his team to Wembley.
Now, with the 21-year-old is expected to return to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell, Dean Smith will have to be in the market for a prolific forward who can replace Abraham at the Villa Park next season. Thus, signing Bruno Andrade would make complete sense, but he shouldn’t be the only forward that walks in from the front door at Aston Villa.
Andrade is blessed with searing pace, power and natural athleticism that helps him beat his man with the utmost ease. The left winger is an unpredictable customer, unplayable on his day and frustrating on the other when things are not going his way. But he isn’t the one to give up easily as the 25-year-old works extremely hard off the ball and helps his team defensively when required.
The Portuguese is someone who can not only bury chances at will but is also capable of creating chances as well. The former OPR starlet is nippy, tricky and has the X-factor with which he can destroy the opposition. Andrade would add some new life to the Villa attack, whilst being an upgrade over Albert Adomah.
At 25, Andrade is about to enter the prime years of his career. He matured during his time in the non-league and has stepped up to League Two like a duck to water.
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If the Portuguese continues to progress at this pace, he could turn out to be a signing of real significance for Dean Smith’s Villa.