Aston Villa on verge of £1m Jamaldeen Jimoh signing as BBC pundit shares Christian Purslow info

We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park… 

Alan Hutton hopes to see Jamaldeen Jimoh break into the Aston Villa first team with the West Brom youngster reportedly on the verge of a move to Villa Park.

The Express & Star reported on 13 June that Villa have agreed a £1million deal to sign the 16-year-old midfielder with a 10 per cent sell-on clause also being tied into the terms between the Villans and the Baggies.

It is understood that Villa beat Tottenham to signing Jimoh with the Midlands club offering "lucrative" terms to the teenager that Spurs were unwilling to match.

West Brom have regularly seen young talent head to Villa Park, as well as a number of staff members.

Hutton doesn't see any issue with it but he only wants to see the Villans signing youngsters who they believe can eventually break into the senior squad at B6.

"I don't think it's a bad thing, especially for that money," he told Villa News.

"West Brom are being reimbursed for bringing that kid though but there needs to be a pathway to the first team.

"It's all well and good bringing top talent to the team but they need to get through, they need to be like Jacob Ramsey and have a pathway to the first team. If there's not, there's no point. And this goes across the board for every football team. Rangers, Celtic or Tottenham - it doesn't matter. You have to bring the youth through.

"It's one of the main things Christian Purslow spoke about years ago, even when I was there.

"He wants to bring through and develop the youth team. Obviously, it didn't work well enough but hopefully this one will be a change."

It was confirmed earlier this week that Purslow has left his role as CEO at Aston Villa.

In other Aston Villa news, a release clause for Ollie Watkins has been mooted amid contract talks at Villa Park.