According to reports in the Daily Mail on Wednesday, Aston Villa are keen to sign out-of-favour West Ham United winger Robert Snodgrass before the summer transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.
The Daily Mail says that the Irons are open to offers for the 29-year-old, who has struggled to make an impression at the London Stadium after joining them in a £10.2m deal from Hull City during the January transfer window.
The report adds that Villa would only be interested in a deal if it was a loan with a view to a permanent move though, because of the implications if they break the financial fair play rules having spent a considerable sum of money last season.
While Villa boss Steve Bruce has brought in the likes of John Terry, Glenn Whelan and Christopher Samba this summer, his transfer business may not be finished there as he looks to secure a return to the Premier League following a disappointing 13th-placed finish last term.
Here are three reasons Snodgrass would propel Villa back to the big time…
Quality
Despite failing to impress West Ham manager Slaven Bilic and the Irons supporters in his 15 appearances for the club to date – eight of which came from the substitutes’ bench – there is no doubting the qualities that Snodgrass has shown he has from both open play and set-pieces.
The Scotland international earned his move to the Hammers following an outstanding first-half of the Premier League season with previous club Hull City in difficult circumstances.
The winger by scoring seven goals in 20 top flight outings as well as providing a further three assists from 45 created chances.
Having performed like that and been so influential in the Premier League for a struggling side, there is no doubt that he could be a huge player for Villa in the Championship.
Experience
Villa perhaps lacked some older heads and experience of winning promotion from the Championship in their team as they looked for an instant return to the Premier League last season, but having already added John Terry and Glenn Whelan to their ranks this summer they look to be in a much stronger position now.
Signing Snodgrass, who went up to the top flight with Hull City just two seasons ago, would certainly further boost the side and he could use his know-how to help some of the more inexperienced players in the squad keep their nerve when they need to.
Point to prove
Having failed to make an impact at West Ham, if Snodgrass does move to Villa Park on loan then he will surely have a point to prove to both Slaven Bilic and Steve Bruce that he is still a player that can make an impact in the Premier League.
That is something that will only help Villa as they look to secure a return to the top flight, with the winger looking to use his crossing and set-piece ability to help the Championship outfit get the goals they struggled to as they finished 13th last term.
Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below.