Aston Villa set sights on signing Ronnie Edwards as West Ham United transfer twist detailed
Aston Villa have joined the race to sign Peterborough United defender Ronnie Edwards alongside West Ham and Crystal Palace, according to Mail on Sunday.
The newspaper reported via its website [7 January, page 100] that The Villans have expressed an interest in the 20-year-old centre-back, preparing to fend off the Premier League duo.
It is understood that Crystal Palace have seen three separate bids rejected for The Posh’s exciting prospect, who has started all of Peterborough’s 25 league matches this season.
Incredible opportunity
Since making the switch from National League football with Barnet in 2020, Edwards has gone on to make 117 appearances for Peterborough and continues to be a key player as they push for League One promotion.
With The Posh’s defence relatively inexperienced, the oldest centre-back just 26 years old, the club are hitting incredible heights this season, sitting third in League One, just two points off the automatic promotion spots.
Edwards was most recently part of a heart-stopping comeback win over Derby County at Pride Park, leapfrogging the Rams into third place, maintaining a 92 per cent pass completion, 100 per cent tackling rate, and making three blocks, three clearances and five recoveries. [FotMob]
The young prospect is an exciting talent and could develop even further under the guidance of Unai Emery. He is the real deal, making eight appearances for England Under 20s since his international youth debut in September 2022.
And with the mature minds of past and present England defenders Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Callum Chambers, Edwards would have the opportunity to learn and progress at Villa Park, with the potential for Premier League and Europa League football.
With former Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer having joined Peterborough just days ago, as per BBC Sport, the hope will be that the shot-stopper will help persuade the youngster into wanting a move to Villa Park in January.
In other Aston Villa news, a former club employed is delighted with contract news coming out at Villa Park.