Aston Villa apparently tried to sign Marvelous Nakamba during January window

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Aston Villa tried to sign Marvelous Nakamba back in January but Club Brugge refused to sell, according to the Telegraph.

They report that Villa have a deal in place to sign the midfielder now to push the club’s summer spending to £120 million, but came up short in their first attempt.

That was back in the winter window, when Villa were chasing promotion but didn’t look to be in the box seat – Smith couldn’t get a deal done then but has apparently remained keen ever since.

Smith has swooped for Douglas Luiz already, meaning that Nakamba’s arrival should signal a swift transformation of Villa’s midfield, following the release of Glenn Whelan this summer.

In a window where Villa have spent heavily 12 months after Fulham did something similar and followed it with instant relegation, it’s reassuring that Nakamba is a target that Smith has liked for a while and clearly done his homework on.

Comparing Villa with Fulham is lazy. Smith has got his business done early, re-signed loanees who know the club and used Premier League money to get players he wanted when he was a second tier manager.

Nakamba is another exciting signing for Villa, who will be battling Luiz for a spot as the anchorman in midfield.