Aston Villa are among the host of clubs linked with Norwich City right-back Max Aarons ahead of the summer transfer window.
Max Aarons, 21, has been an ever-present figure for Daniel Farke’s promotion-chasing side this season, playing 38 times in the Championship. The England under-21 international was a key performer in Norwich City’s promotion to the Premier League two years ago, although Daniel Farke failed to keep his side in the top-flight at the end of the 2019/20 season.
Aarons, who is currently away with England’s U21 side at the European Championships, is attracting plenty of interest from clubs across Europe, including Serie A clubs AC Milan and AS Roma. Norwich City, looking set to bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking, have slapped a price tag of £30million on their defender.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are one of the surprise packages in this Premier League season, currently sitting 10th in the table. They have performed very well after narrowly escaping relegation last term. The Lions’ highlight of the campaign has been the 7-2 thrashing of defending champions Liverpool at Villa Park, with summer signing Ollie Watkins scoring a memorable hat-trick.
Matty Cash has proven to be a smart signing for Aston Villa
Aston Villa signed Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest last summer, and the right-back has developed into a key figure for Dean Smith’s side this season. Cash has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, making 22 appearances across the campaign so far.
Bought for around £16m, the Englishman has proven to be such a smart signing for the Villans. He has forged a strong partnership with fellow summer recruit Bertrand Traore on the right flank, causing a lot of problems to the opposition defenders with his crossing ability and overlapping runs.
The Villans must sign a right-back this summer
In Cash’s absence due to a hamstring injury, Dean Smith gave Ahmed Elmohamady a run at right-back against the likes of Leicester City, Leeds United, Sheffield United, Wolves and Newcastle United. Elmohamady completed 90 minutes in each of those five games, with Aston Villa winning just once.
That clearly tells how much the Villans missed Cash’s presence in their backline. The lack of depth at right-back is an area Smith should address during the summer transfer window. Elmohamady is an experienced player, but he is in his twilight and the Lions should look to move him on this summer.
Frederic Guilbert was loaned out to French club Strasbourg in January after he failed to consistently perform at Villa Park. Whether he gets a second chance remains to be seen but Smith must look to add competition and cover for Cash before the 2021/22 season kicks-off.
Max Aarons would be a brilliant addition to the Aston Villa squad
Max Aarons has been consistently impressive for Norwich City ever since breaking into the first team at the start of the 2018–19 season under Daniel Farke. The 21-year-old has been excellent at both ends of the pitch, showing defensive diligence as well as delivering the goods going forward. The England under-21 international is a reliable customer and could also prove to be a difference in Villa’s backline.
Aarons is just 21, so he has plenty of time and room to develop his game. There’s no doubting the youngster’s ability and potential, which undoubtedly makes him such a hot property in Championship football. Thus, Villa must not hesitate in making a move for the Norwich star.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
