Aston Villa join seven-club race for available 30-year-old enforcer – report
By Matt Farr
Aston Villa have joined the race to sign experienced midfielder Joe Ledley on a free transfer this summer, according to a report.
The Sun claim that the 30-year-old is attracting heavy interest from clubs across the globe with his contract at Crystal Palace set to expire at the end of the month.
Ledley had made 21 appearances in all competitions at Selhurst Park least season, but is destined to leave the Premier League this summer after letting his contract run down.
Aston Villa are understood to be just one of at least seven sides currently coveting the 70-time Wales international enforcer, with Championship rivals Derby County also keen.
But fellow Midlands outfit West Brom could also be set to hand Ledley an opportunity to remain in the Premier League, having lost midfield maestro Darren Fletcher to Stoke.
At least two Turkish and two German clubs are also in the race, with growing interest from the Chinese Super League sure to leave the out-of-contract midfielder with no shortage of options ahead of the new season.
Villa manager Steve Bruce is aware that Ledley will command Premier League wages if here were to push for a move this summer, but he and the club’s owner Dr Tony Xia will not shy away from spending what is necessary.
The club regularly flexed their financial muscle last season in their failed bid to land promotion back to the top-flight, and they are likely to do so again to fine-tune their efforts.
Bruce has already pursued a deal for experienced Stoke midfielder Glenn Whelan, and has seen a bid of £500,000 rejected, but he can also snap up a player with similar experience in Ledley on a free transfer.
Football Insider verdict
Villa’s transfer business over the course of last season left them with an almost entirely new-look squad – particularly in midfield – but it still needs time to fire. Bruce already has a number of options at his disposal, but he is lacking somewhat in the midfield of players that have Premier League experience. Ledley could be a fantastic asset to the club, and is readily available. He’s a proven performer at top-flight and at international level, and his wags won’t be too much of a concern. The only issue however, is the level of interest in his services. Even though Villa will happily pay his wages, Ledley could still find a more lucrative package elsewhere, particularly in China or another of Europe’s top leagues. But a deal must be done for Villa if at all possible.
In other Aston Villa transfer news, a 22-year-old has signed a new contract at the club.
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