Aston Villa submit bid for attacking talent who had Arsenal trial last year

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Aston Villa and Arsenal have big seasons coming up and, as such, both have been busy on the transfer front this summer.

The Villans have been especially busy, making eight new signings, while more new arrivals could follow at Arsenal after Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival.

Aston Villa and Arsenal will both be in the Champions League this season, while the latter will be eager to also go all the way in the Premier League title race.

Clubs like the Villans and the Gunners won’t just be focusing on first-team signings, however. They will want to bolster their academy ranks too.

For instance, Arsenal recently signed Tommy Setford, an England youth international goalkeeper, from Dutch giants Ajax.

Now, according to Fabrizio Romano, Villa have submitted a bid for an exciting young forward who had a trial with the Gunners just last year.

READ MORE: Aston Villa reach agreement to sign £98m Premier League player, but there’s a problem

Aston Villa submit Mason Cotcher bid

The player in question is England Under-17 striker Mason Cotcher and, according to Romano, the Villans have sent a formal bid to Sunderland for the player.

Cotcher is already training with Villa’s youth squad and is impressing coaches with his displays, added the transfer insider.

Villa targeting highly sought-after young forward

As per Transfermarkt, Cotcher is currently without a club, but has spent time on trial at various other teams.

The 17-year-old played for the youth teams of Arsenal, Manchester United and Leeds United last term.

According to East Anglian Daily Times, Cotcher also featured for Ipswich Town’s youngsters, while The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath reported last year that Rangers were keen on the player.

As per the Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats are entitled to a pay-out when Cotcher signs his first professional contract thanks to their role in his development.

Villa have now made their move, and now it’s up to Sunderland to decide. It remains to be seen whether other clubs – such as Arsenal – may now also make a move for the talented youngster.