Whelan tells Aston Villa to ‘get Wesley off the wage bill’ after transfer update
Wesley is not good enough for the Premier League and Aston Villa should send him packing this summer.
That is according to former Leeds and Middlesbrough forward Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the 24-year-old’s future ahead of the next transfer window.
Wesley has struggled for game time since returning from an ACL injury and has played just 15 minutes of football in Villa’s last five Premier League games.
Football Insider revealed on Monday that the West Midlands club are planning to loan out the Brazilian striker next season after nearly 18 months of injury hell.
Whelan backed the decision to send Wesley out on loan next season with his value tumbling.
“I very much doubt Aston Villa will be able to recoup anywhere near the £20-odd million they paid for him so a loan is probably best,” he told Football Insider.
“I think he would go for around £12million if they tried to sell him now. They would be very lucky to get £15million.
“He has not done enough since he has been there to justify the price tag Villa paid for him. It has not been a great spell for him there although I know the injury has not helped.
“When Villa bought him he was at the top of his game but he has not shown that for Villa so they’ve got no chance of recouping a similar fee. They will have to take a hit if they want to get rid of him, that’s the problem.
“It was a risky signing and it hasn’t paid off. It is the right to do though, to send him out on loan.
“He cannot cut it at this level. Dean Smith doesn’t need him so try and get him off the wage bill.”
In other news, Phillips predicts England international will accept offer and leave Aston Villa after key update.