According to reports on TEAMtalk, Leicester City are one of four clubs interested in signing in-form Bristol City attacking midfielder Bobby Reid.
TEAMtalk says that the Robins are desperately trying to tie the 24-year-old down to a new deal following his impressive start to the campaign with his current one due to expire next summer, but the Foxes, Burnley, Brighton and Hove Albion and Middlesbrough are all keeping close tabs on the situation.
While the report adds that City have a 12-month option on him, both the Championship high-flyers and the player are aware of the interest in him and bids could be lodged during the January transfer window.
Meanwhile, the Robins’ league rivals Aston Villa lie in sixth position in the standings going into the international break, and manager Steve Bruce may already be thinking about possible additions he could make to his squad in the New Year to ensure that they return to the Premier League come what May.
Bruce will be well aware of the 24-year-old’s abilities and he could prove to be a smart addition for the Midlands outfit.
Here are three reasons Villa should hijack any Leicester bid for Reid…
Conor Hourihane competition
While Hourihane has scored five goals – including three in the 4-2 win against Norwich City in August – in 15 Championship appearances from the middle of the park for Villa this season, he doesn’t really have a lot of competition for the slightly more advanced central midfield role and could get too complacent.
Injuries to Henri Lansbury and Jack Grealish have been the main cause of that, but Bruce may feel that he needs to strengthen in that position in January in case the team’s goals dry up in the second-half of the campaign.
Reid has certainly shown this term that he can be effective in that role for Bristol City, and he could be the player that adds a different dimension to Villa going forward.
His stats
While he hasn’t been particularly prolific during his Bristol City career as a whole, Reid has really shown his qualities as an attacking midfielder for the Robins this season.
The 24-year-old has scored nine goals and provided a further assist in 16 Championship appearances, while he has created 25 chances in total for his teammates.
With six of his nine league goals coming on the road this term he has shown that he is capable of scoring consistently both home and away, while he has also shown his qualities in possession by successfully completing 20 of the 36 take-ons he has attempted.
Potential
At 24 years of age Reid certainly has a few years until he should be reaching his peak levels, and considering how well he has done this season that is a potentially exciting prospect.
If Aston Villa are serious about securing their Premier League return this season and are thinking about potential new signings in January, they need to make sure those players are capable of making the step up to the top flight with them and all of the signs suggest the attacking midfielder is more capable of doing exactly that.
Do you agree, Villa fans? Let us know below.
