Aston Villa are ready to move in for AFC Bournemouth forward Benik Afobe with the transfer deadline fast approaching. According to recent reports in the English media, the 24-year-old forward has attracted interest from the Villans with Steve Bruce eager to secure his services before the transfer window comes to a close at the end of this month. It is being reported that the West Midlands outfit are set to hijack Wolverhampton Wanderers’ attempts to re-sign the Cherries forward Benik Afobe. The Wolves were hopeful that an agreement could be reached for the London born striker on a loan deal with a view of a permanent move in the summer after negotiating with the Premier League club in the last few days.
However, Villa has now entered the hunt for the ex-Arsenal striker’s signature and are eager to bring him in to boost their chances of securing a promotion back to the Premier League. The Villans are still on the lookout for a new striker in this January transfer window as their manager Steve Bruce wants to strengthen his attacking options after last season’s top-scorer Jonathan Kodjia fell victim to an injury.
Bruce already lost out to Brighton & Hove Albion in pursuit of Leonardo Ulloa and has now switched his attention to the Bournemouth poacher, who looks set to leave the club before the end of this transfer period.
Afobe has reportedly fallen out of favour with the Cherries manager Eddie Howe and will now be shown the door in search of greener pastures. It is understood that Villa does not have the funds to sign him permanently and could only offer to take him on loan, which might give Wolves an added advantage in the race for the striker’s signature.
The former Bolton forward has struggled to make an impact this season and has made only 22 appearances across all competitions for the Cherries, scoring a goal and providing an assist so far. Steve Bruce’s side are in fantastic form in the English Championship and have won their last four league matches. They currently find themselves in 4th place in the league standings, with a tally of 50 points in 28 league matches. They are well on their way to earn a playoffs spot at the end of the season but Steve Bruce could look to push his players to try and chase down second-placed Derby County in their quest to secure an automatic promotion into the Premier League.
The addition of Afobe could go a long way in helping them pull off that feat. It remains to be seen whether they can fend off competition from Wolves in pursuit of the Bournemouth ace.
