Aston Villa are monitoring the situation of Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa and wants to snap him up on loan this month. According to recent reports, Steve Bruce is ready to launch a double raid on the Foxes duo of Leonardo Ulloa and Daniel Amartey. The Villa manager wants the former Premier League champions to sanction two loan deals in this transfer window as he prepares the West Midlands club for a strong showing going into the second half of the campaign.
The Villans are currently looking to bring in reinforcements and have the budget to pull off two loan moves with the Leicester duo topping their wishlist this month. Ulloa has fallen down the pecking order this season and has found first-team opportunities limited with Andre Gray, Jamie Vardy and Shinji Okazaki all preferred over him by manager Claude Puel. The big Argentine forward recently signed a long-term contract with the Foxes in the summer but has still found life hard under Claude Puel this season.
It is being reported that the West Midlands outfit would preferably sanction a loan move with an option for Villa to sign him permanently at the end of the season. However, with Islam Slimani’s impending departure this month, the Argentine might be in for some first-team chances for the Foxes in the coming months.
In a recent interview, Villa manager Steve Bruce confirmed their desire to acquire the Leicester duo. He said,
“There’s nothing yet, but one or two things are bubbling. I think it will be more towards the end of January.
“It’s difficult to loan players right now, but two or three weeks changes things when players move around. We have to be patient, but there are one or two bubbling along.”
The Villans are currently in fifth place in the Championship standings and are well in contention to secure a playoff spot at the end of the season. However, Steve Bruce’s side has struggled to score enough goals of late and could do with a front-man who can be a temporary fix to their attacking worries.
Ulloa has featured in 7 matches for the Foxes this season and is yet to score so far but has grabbed two assists in all competitions. His record this term is not that impressive but he is a forward who has a wealth of experience in English and Spanish football. It remains to be seen whether Villa can convince the Foxes to part ways with their Argentine striker this month.
