ASTON VILLA are reportedly considering a move for Burnley’s Jay Rodriguez, as they hunt a new striker to bolster their Premier League survival chances.
Dean Smith’s side are on the lookout for a new forward, with club-record signing Wesley out for the season with an ACL injury.
Aston Villa are interested in Burnley front-man Jay Rodriguez
And Rodriguez fits the bill, having impressed against the Villans over the last 18 months.
The front-man scored a controversial late equaliser with his hand against Villa for West Brom last season – before netting a beauty from range in the reverse fixture against their midlands rivals.
Burnley had been chasing a reunion with the floppy-haired 30-year-old, who came through their academy, for years.
And Sean Dyche finally got his man in the summer, with the Clarets agreeing to pay £5million upfront, with another £5m due at the end of the season.
But despite the protracted chase for Rodriguez, he has only featured from the start five times for Dyche’s men this season – regularly appearing from the bench.
He has managed three league goals since returning to Turf Moor, including yet another against Villa back in September.
The Athletic claim that Villa were initially looking for loan signings to bolster their struggling squad this month – but Burnley will not let a relegation rival borrow one of their players.
Despite his lack of starts, Rodriguez is still a valued member of Dyche’s squad, and they will be reluctant to lose him this month.
With Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes still ahead of him in the pecking order, it may be difficult to justify keeping Rodriguez if Villa firm up their interest with a serious offer.
Smith had been interested in Chelsea outcast Olivier Giroud, but club chiefs failed to make any progress on a deal – instead borrowing Danny Drinkwater from the Blues.
AC Milan forward Krzysztof Piatek is not an option, although Villa could turn their attentions to Brighton veteran Glenn Murray.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
