Aston Villa join multi-club chase for Bristol City teenager Reuben McAllister – report
Aston Villa want to continue investing in youth and have joined the race to sign Bristol City teenager Reuben McAllister, according to The Sun.
The 16-year-old is attracting a lot of attention, with Old Firm giants Rangers and Celtic, as well as Newcastle reportedly already interested.
Premier League scouts have apparently been “flocking” to Bristol to watch the attacking midfielder since he made his under-23s debut last October at the age of 15.
Bristol World had reported the interest from Newcastle on Friday (17 June) and a source told them that “a number” of Premier League clubs were aware of him so interest may be even more widespread.
McAllister, the son of former Robins player and Scotland international Jamie, has yet to sign professional terms, and according to the Bristol Post the club would be “loath” to lose one of their brightest young prospects.
Villa recently completed a deal to sign Ibrox talent Rory Wilson for £350,000 and the club look to be interested in continuing to stock up their academy.
Look out
The Villans are well accustomed to moving for a youngster who the parent club wishes to keep hold of after the Wilson deal was agreed without it requiring a FIFA ruling.
Rangers of course will also be well aware now too, and the benefit that Villa had in the Wilson chase will now fall with the Scottish side.
According to The Sun, the Gers had taken legal advice before contacting Villa Park to resume negotiations because it was feared that they would receive around a third of what they eventually settled for if the deal was deemed a cross-border transfer.
There would be no such issue if the Lions were able to make a convincing pitch to McAllister, and the Robins could presumably take the issue to FIFA safer in the knowledge they would receive better compensation, and thus they might be more willing to negotiate with the two sides from Glasgow.
Villa continue to show interest in stocking up the different squads from all angles, and with youngsters breaking into the first team under Steven Gerrard they should be an attractive proposition for teenage talent.
They will have to guard against blocking the senior squad up with too many big-money arrivals however or they will risk young stars leaving to search for opportunities elsewhere with pathways blocked in much the same way that Chelsea used to be seen.
In other Aston Villa news, the club are one of the potential destinations for ex-Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.