Former Aston Villa defender Alan Hutton has been reacting to the club’s interest in Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as per Football Insider.
The Lowdown: Villa linked with Oxlade-Chamberlain
Villa have already made four summer signings and appear to be closing in on a fifth in Rangers forward Rory Wilson. However, Steven Gerrard isn’t planning on stopping there and has reportedly made Oxlade-Chamberlain a ‘top priority’ for the remainder of the summer.
Liverpool are reportedly willing to cash in on the 28-year-old as he enters the final 12 months of his Anfield contract and could be available for around £11m.
The Latest: Hutton’s comments on Oxlade-Chamberlain
Hutton, who contributes for Sky Sports, was talking to Football Insider regarding Villa’s interest in the Anfield ace.
The Scot believes that Villa’s current midfielders will be ‘worried’ at the possibility of ‘someone with the quality of Oxlade-Chamberlain’ coming in.
Hutton said:
“They’re well-stocked in that area.
“Oxlade-Chamberlain will have to prove himself. But Steven Gerrard has got the best out of the likes of Philippe Coutinho before when he’s been out of form, and this is a similar situation.
“You’d be worried if you’re a midfielder at Villa right now. I’m just saying how I would feel if I was in that position and someone with the quality of Oxlade-Chamberlain came in.
“They’ve got to embrace it and see it as an opportunity to show what you’re worth.
“It’s competition for places, and you need that if you’re going to be going for those European spots. That’s where Aston Villa see themselves.”
The Verdict: Shrewd signing?
Oxlade-Chamberlain has played in 10 different positions throughout his career, with the majority of his appearances coming as a central midfielder or on the right. [Transfermarkt]
He would therefore add plenty of versatility to Gerrard’s midfield ranks, with the Villa boss tinkering with narrow and wide formations last season.
An £11m move for Oxlade-Chamberlain could also be deemed a cut-price one due to his £14.4m Transfermarkt valuation, so this could be one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.
In other news: Villa and Gerrard now want 'unbelievable' ace on free transfer alongside Suarez.