Report: Aston Villa lining up bid for Crystal Palace’s James McCarthy

Add as preferred source on Google

Aston Villa are reportedly lining up a move for Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy.

According to The Daily Mail, the Midlands club are considering a £5 million bid for the 29-year-old, who only has a year remaining on his contract.

Villa are looking to bolster their squad ahead of the 2020/21 season having come within a whisker of being relegated.

Dean Smith’s side only secured their top-flight status on the final day by a single point, with Watford losing to Arsenal.

The club will be hoping for an easier time of things in their second season back in the Premier League, and it is thought there will be a more relaxed view of signing players over the age of 28.

McCarthy made 35 appearances for Palace in 2019/20.

TBR’s View – McCarthy would be a decent budget signing

McCarthy has a plethora of Premier League experience having played for Palace, Everton and Wigan Athletic, and he would likely represent a decent and fairly cheap signing for Villa.

The team arguably need an older head in the team who can be an example to the players with less top-flight experience, which is a large percentage of the squad.

Danny Drinkwater is highly likely not to return to Villa Park, so McCarthy would be an ideal replacement.