Aston Villa agree terms of striker deal - report

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Published on:

20 Dec 2016, 8:17 am

By Harry Sykes

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy has agreed the terms of a new contract with Aston Villa, according to a report.

Villa owner Tony Xia revealed on Twitter that the Midlands giants have offered a deal to the highly rated academy product.

The Sun now claim that the striker, 18, is set to sign a new three-year contract to allay fears that he could quit when his current agreement expires at the end of the season.

It is said that the Championship club were "desperate" to keep hold of Hepburn-Murphy amid interest from Manchester City and Watford.

The youngster, who made his senior Villa debut at the age of just 16, has had only four minutes of Championship action this season.

But manager Steve Bruce revealed he has been close to being named in the matchday squad on a number of recent occasions after demonstrating his potential with five goals in nine Premier League 2 appearances.

Villa are 13th in the Championship after winning 1-0 at QPR last Sunday to lift them to within six points and seven places of Sheffield Wednesday in the final play-off spot.

Football Insider verdict:

Tying Hepburn-Murphy to a new deal is crucial for Villa. Naturally, they will not want to overpay an unproven player who is way down the striker pecking order at the club. But the word is that the teenager is the real deal. It is also important politically to not lose such a highly rated academy product, as fans are desperate to see another top player emerge from the club's production line.

In other Aston Villa transfer news, a Premier League club has joined the race to sign a Villa ace and a £10million striker could move to the Midlands giants in part-exchange.

Aston Villa

Rushian Hepburn-Murphy