Aston Villa ‘set sights on signing Igor Thiago’, Brentford’s stance revealed
Aston Villa are considering a move to sign Brentford striker Igor Thiago as they aim to bolster their attack during the January transfer window.
That is according to former Aston Villa and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 24-year-old’s 11 goals in 13 games have placed him on Villa’s radar.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 2 November that Aston Villa are accelerating plans to sign a striker as Unai Emery is determined to bolster up front.
Villa are not the only interested party, as Newcastle are also tracking Thiago’s progress, while Tottenham have considered moving for the Brentford star.
However, Brentford are extremely reluctant to let the striker leave in the near future after what has been a fantastic start to the season for the striker in West London.
Aston Villa set sights on Igor Thiago
Brown told Football Insider last month that Aston Villa want to sign a striker in January, as they aim to provide some competition for Ollie Watkins.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Villa are among a number of clubs now keeping tabs on Igor Thiago.
“Aston Villa want to sign a new striker in January,” he told Football Insider.
“The problem is, there aren’t many strikers available, and the ones that are cost big money.
“They’re looking at a few options to figure out who could be available for them, but it’s not easy because there aren’t many at the top level who would be available.
“One who is on their list is the Brentford striker, Thiago, because he’s had a very good start.
“He’s somebody who is going to have grabbed the attention of a number of clubs because of his current form, there will be a number of clubs looking at him.
“The problem is, from a Brentford point of view, they’re not going to want to let him go.
“He’s playing well, scoring goals, and he’s a big part of the way they play so he’s going to cost a big fee if anybody wants to get him out of Brentford.”
Aston Villa have concerns about Ollie Watkins
Brown told Football Insider on 30 September that Aston Villa are concerned about Watkins’ form after a difficult start to the season for the England international.
The 29-year-old has scored just one goal in 14 appearances across all competitions so far this season and has fallen some way short of last season’s success.
Meanwhile, Matt Le Tissier told Football Insider that Watkins could be axed by Aston Villa despite the lack of attacking depth in Emery’s squad.
Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendia and Donyell Malen are currently tied as the club’s top scorers on three goals, leading to concerns about their lack of regular scorers.
Watkins’ lack of clinical finishing in front of goal, albeit uncharacteristic given the success of his time at Villa Park, has forced the club to consider their options.
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