Exclusive: Aston Villa set sights on signing two Southampton senior players
Transfers

Exclusive: Aston Villa set sights on signing two Southampton senior players

Wayne Veysey
Wayne Veysey

Founder & Managing Director AUTHORITY Former chief correspondent at Evening Standard, Goal and Press Association with nearly three decades in national, regional and digital news and sports journalism. Wayne directs the network’s news strategy and high-level operations. FOCUS Editorial direction for the 11-site network and newsroom management. THE BRIEF Wayne oversees the network’s editorial standards across the network. He provides the final sign-off on all headline scoops, ensuring content across all platforms meets the standards required for a high-velocity newsroom.

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By Pete O'Rourke

Aston Villa have set their sights on Southampton duo Charlie Austin and Matt Targett, Football Insider understands.

Southampton are willing to listen to offers for striker Austin and left-back Targett this summer as Ralph Hasenhuttl looks to shake up his squad at St Mary's with an eight-player firesale.

Austin struggled for regular first-team football at Southampton following the arrival of Hasenhuttl as manager last December and they are willing to sell the former Queens Park Rangers man for the right price this summer.

Villa are in the market for striking reinforcements this summer with Tammy Abraham returning to Chelsea following his successful loan spell and a club source has told Football Insider that Austin is one of several names on their list of targets.

The Premier League new boys are also seeking to bolster their left-back options during this summer's transfer window and they are keeping tabs on Targett's situation.

He is currently second-choice at left-back behind Ryan Bertrand at Southampton and Villa are prepared to let the 23-year-old move on for a suitable price.

Dean Smith's side face competition from other Premier League clubs for the signature of the £10million-valued defender.

In other Aston Villa news, it can be REVEALED that the club are plotting a move to sign a Chelsea player available for FREE.

Aston Villa
Matt Targett
www.footballinsider247.com