Available in cut-price deal: Why Aston Villa must join four-club chase for PL set-piece specialist
COMMENT By Will Butcher
West Ham are reportedly set to cut their losses on set-piece specialist Robert Snodgrass and Steve Bruce must look to beat his rivals and lure him to Aston Villa this summer.
Football London claim that the Hammers are willing to sell the 29-year-old for a cheaper price than the £10million they spent on the Scotland international back in January.
It is said that four clubs are currently chasing Snodgrass' signature at the moment, including Premier League new boys Newcastle and Brighton as well as former sides Leeds and Norwich.
Aston Villa have completed four signings this summer, in former England captain John Terry, a permanent deal for Sam Johnstone and former Hull right-back Ahmed El Mohamady as well as midfielder Glenn Whelan.
Football Insider believes Villa need to continue that summer spending spree by adding width to their squad and signing Snodgrass would boost their chances of securing Premier League promotion.
Here are three reasons why, including how the signing of the former Livingston attacker would prove to be a positive effect in Villa's pursuit of promotion both on and off the pitch:
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Championship form
Snodgrass has played for the likes of Hull, Leeds and Norwich throughout his career, building a reputation as one of the most prolific players to have played in the Championship.
West Ham's number 11 has had a hand in 52 goals during his 104 Championship career appearances, scoring 23 goals as well as laying on 29 assists.
If Snodgrass can replicate that kind of form in the claret and blue of Aston Villa, then Bruce would take a mammoth leap towards securing his fifth career promotion as a manager.
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Lack of width
Bruce needs wingers. Currently available to him in his first team is just Albert Adomah as a recognised winger, with Jack Grealish, Ross McCormack and Leandro Bacuna better used in other positions.
Villa managed just 47 league goals last season in their 46 encounters, and adding creativity from out wide to give ammunition to strikers Jonathan Kodjia and Scott Hogan could be crucial in aiding their promotion push.
Snodgrass can be that man, as Bruce looks to bring in players that he feels can push the Midlands giants towards the Premier League.
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Promotion expert
Snodgrass has enjoyed from the Championship in the past with Hull in 2015-16, as well as finishing second and gaining a place in the second tier with Leeds seven years ago.
That knowledge of being in a side that are able to sustain the level of momentum needed to stay at the top, as well as adhering to the pressure of fans' expectations, is a rare commodity in players.
However, Snodgrass knows full well how to cope with such extremities and his effect would prove a huge impact both on and off the pitch at Villa Park next season.
In other Aston Villa transfer news, fans have reacted on Twitter after the club completed the signing of this Premier League star.
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