Aston Villa plot move to make £4m-a-year PL star their second summer signing – report
By Danny Wright
Aston Villa are eyeing up a move to make Stoke star Peter Crouch their second signing, according to a report.
The Sun claims that Steve Bruce is hoping to see the 36-year-old follow in the footsteps of John Terry this summer and switch the Premier League for the Championship ahead of the upcoming season.
It is understood that Crouch is earning £4million-a-year at the Bet365 Stadium, and wouldn’t be willing to take a pay cut to secure a move back to Villa, who he last played for in 2004.
However the report says that a promotion bonus would sweeten the deal while Bruce isn’t willing to splash a large sum to acquire his services.
Although he is reaching the twilight of his playing career, Crouch still played a big role in Stoke’s Premier League campaign last time out as he featured 27 times in the competition and scored seven goals.
The former England international wasn’t exactly prolific in his time at Villa Park, as he found the net just six times in 38 matches.
Crouch has played for many teams in his career and moving back to Aston Villa would mean that he has had two spells at the same club on three occasions after previous returns to both Tottenham and Portsmouth.
Football Insider Verdict
Crouch would definitely make a great addition to Bruce’s squad. His experience speaks volumes and the fact that the West Midlands club are able to acquire top flight players will make a big statement to their promotion rivals ahead of the upcoming season. Crouch wouldn’t be expected to start for Villa, as Jonathan Kodjia’s goal scoring record last term means that he is irreplaceable in the starting line-up. Instead, the ex-Spurs and Liverpool forward can be expected to bring more to the dressing room if anything and also provide a plan B at the end of matches.
In other Aston Villa news, the club have made an approach for this two-times Premier League winner.
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