Aston Villa submit bid to sign ‘energetic’ English striker, his manager has already sat him down for talks
Aston Villa’s youth recruitment has seen them bag a number of gems over the years.
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Louie Barry, Rory Wilson, Yeimar Mosquera, Fletcher Boyd and Mason Cotcher are among the current Aston Villa Under-21s crop who’ve been snapped up from other clubs across the UK and the rest of the world.
Unfortunately, for a club of Villa’s size, they’ve fallen short in scooping up top talent at a young age before their local rivals have.
Birmingham City will always be able to boast of bringing through the Bellingham brothers, while it’s no secret that Villa have regularly raided West Brom’s youth academy over the years – for staff as well as players.
In a bid to lure local youngsters to them instead of their rivals, Aston Villa have opened a new inner-city academy, called Brookvale Academy, near to Villa Park.
However, despite this, the Villans are still looking at signing players from other professional clubs.
Aston Villa set sights on Igor Tyjon
Villa are reportedly hot on the heels of young Blackburn forward Igor Tyjon.
According to youth transfer experts The Talent Hunter, Aston Villa have submitted a bid for Tyjon. However, Blackburn have turned down offers from both them and Arsenal.
It is understood that the two Premier League clubs are “current frontrunners” to sign the 17-year-old, who’s also on the radar of multiple clubs in Europe.
The Talent Hunter adds that although Tyjon’s scholarship contract at Ewood Park expires at the end of the season, he could still sign a new contract with Blackburn.
In March, the England Under-18s centre-forward will celebrate his 18th birthday, meaning he’ll be able to sign a professional deal with the Championship club.
- Read more: Triston Rowe and the next Morgan Rogers – the Aston Villa youngsters set for breakout season
Who is Tyjon?
Southport-born Tyjon joined Blackburn from Rochdale in 2023 and has since worked his way through the ranks at Ewood Park to make his professional debut last season.
He’s so far played just three times for the Rovers senior side, with one of those appearances coming this season when he started in a 2-1 defeat to Bradford in the Carabao Cup in August.
Although born in England and representing the Young Lions at three different levels, Tyjon is also eligible for Poland and has played for their Under-16s side.
| Country | Age group | Appearances | Goals |
| England | U16 | 3 | 2 |
| Poland | U16 | 3 | 2 |
| England | U17 | 12 | 2 |
| England | U18 | 5 | 3 |
| Poland | U18 | – | – |
Eurosport first reported in 2024 that Premier League clubs have shown an interest in Tyjon, adding that the youngster has been described as an “exciting and energetic striker”.
Blackburn manager Valerien Ismael has also talked up Tyjon, confirming that he’s in his first-team plans at Ewood Park.
“Igor is part of the first-team squad. We make a clear plan with him. He didn’t have that from the past,” said the former West Brom manager.
“At the end of the last season, I sat with him and his parents and explained the way we want to work with him, to improve him. He will have the chance in the pre-season. So, this is now what’s happened.
“Now it’s up to him to show us that he’s ready. At least we see the quality that he can help us, and we go from there. We have a clear plan with him to train with the first-team.”
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