Aston Villa are interested in Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil – report
Aston Villa are interested in Sunderland youngster Dan Neil, but are behind Burnley in the queue if he moves, according to Alan Nixon.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a breakout campaign where he has made over 40 appearances in all competitions, although his role as a regular starter has become more interrupted towards the end of the season.
Four goals and eight assists represent a decent return for a player who had only previously played nine times for the senior side.
He may be available in the summer if the Black Cats are not promoted, according to Sun journalist Nixon on Patreon.
The Clarets are very keen on him however, having been to watch him last week, and reportedly would be in the driving seat due to a clearer path to first team football.
Sunderland are current leading 1-0 in the first-round of the League One playoffs.
Long shot
The Villans are certainly casting their net far and wide in terms of summer recruitment targets.
Neil will no doubt enjoy the fact that he appears to be on the list alongside Kalvin Phillips and Luis Suarez, although likely further down.
Youth appears to be a priority outside of the biggest names, but the England under-20 international would be facing a big step up to go from third-tier to Premier League.
Steven Gerrard is known to want to strengthen the centre of the park, and although Neil has had a strong year in his first as a starter it would be a lot to ask to expect him to be a contributor from the off at Villa Park.
Fellow youngsters Carney Chukwuemeka and Tim Iroegbunam are already in position as breakthrough talents at the midfield position, so unless the reported interest from Borussia Dortmund in the former materialises (Mail) there may not be much space for another.
In other Aston Villa news, the manager has seen what former sides Liverpool and Rangers have done in Europe this year and wants the Villans to do so too.