Aston Villa want to sign £4.5million defender as Sky Sports share January transfer news
Aston Villa want to sign Peterborough centre-back Ronnie Edwards in January amid interest from West Ham and Crystal Palace, according to Sky Sports.
The news outlet shared via their live transfer blog [5 January, 19:28] that Villa are keen on the defender, while The Posh will demand sizeable add-ons on top of a £4.5million asking price.
However, The Independent [4 January] report that Peterborough will hold out for a £10million fee after Crystal Palace have had three January bids rejected already.
Villa must come prepared
Edwards is one of the most highly-regarded young talents outside of the Premier League, as displayed by the level of interest in a potential deal to sign him, and as such, Peterborough will stand by their asking price whether that be £4.5million or £10million.
It is, however, claimed that there will be room for negotiation on the asking price if the buying club agree to send Edwards back on loan for the rest of the season to help with their push for promotion from League One.
Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony famously drives a hard bargain and will not be willing to let his star asset leave for cheap, so if Aston Villa want to get a deal done for the young defender, they will have to come with their chequebook ready.
At just 20 years old, Edwards would be a signing for the future, while also providing competition to the starting centre-backs under the guidance of Unai Emery. He has plenty of room to learn and grow, and Villa Park could be the perfect place to take the step up.
In other Aston Villa news, the club must make sure one key player remains at Villa Park.