Villa should get Decordova-Reid amid Hendrie claim

Aston Villa should look to snap up Fulham ace Bobby Decordova-Reid this summer amid Lee Hendrie’s transfer claim.

What’s the story?

The Cottagers have been battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League all season, and of course, if they do go down, then there will be no shortage of suitors for their players.

And,speaking exclusively to FFC, Hendrie insisted that there are a couple of players Dean Smith should be looking to target in the summer, with Reid name-checked as someone who be a permanent fixture in the starting line-up.

Should Villa sign Bobby Reid?

Yes!

No!

No!

He said: “If Fulham do go down, I just feel that there’s possibly a couple of players I would certainly look at in that team that would certainly stand out for me. (Harrison) Reed in the midfield, (Ademola) Lookman and Bobby Decordova-Reid, he’s one again that I’d certainly have, and he would play week in, week out.”

Lange must strike

With reports in recent days suggesting that Wesley’s time at Villa Park might come to an end this summer, it would be no surprise to see Smith’s side go after a new forward. And in Reid, they could find someone who can really buy into things at the club.

Speaking earlier this month, Fulham boss Scott Parker waxed lyrical about both his ability on the ball, and work-rate off it, saying: “He has been incredible with his versatility. There is never anything too much for Bob. Physically incredible – his numbers that he can produce physically are elite, and that always gives him that option to play in other positions.

“And he’s a real goal threat. He has got a knack of sniffing out goals, being in the right areas, gambling on things. He was fantastic for us last year, and this year, in his second year in this league, after a year with Cardiff, has been very, very good and has been key for us. He is a key player in this team. He has done tremendously well.”

Parker also dubbed him as “immense“, and there’s no questioning that the £9m-rated ace has been trying to lead the charge for Fulham as they seek to stave off relegation.

In 25 Premier League games, he’s bagged five goals, and that’s despite playing in a whole number of different positions, including up front, out wide, just behind the striker and even a game in central midfield against Chelsea.

But if Smith decides to deploy him as a number nine as cover for Ollie Watkins, as someone to play alongside him or someone to play on the opposite flank to Jack Grealish then Johan Lange could surely find a real bargain by snapping Decordova-Reid up this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa should sign this Premier League starlet this summer…