As reported by The Daily Mail, Aston Villa are interested in signing Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones this summer.
What’s the story?
Whether the Villans gain promotion to the English Premier League this season or not, Steve Bruce’s task this summer will be building a team capable of competing at that level.
No doubt plans are already being made and targets identified ahead of the transfer window opening.
One player that could make the move to Villa Park is Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones.
That’s according to The Daily Mail, who say that Aston Villa had scouts to watch the player in action on international duty recently, with his performance against South Korea said to be impressive enough for the club to put him on their summer shortlist, rivalling Brighton & Hove Albion.
Rated at £450,000 by Transfermarkt and with just a year left on his contract, he’s well within reach of Steve Bruce, but is he the right kind of signing to either boost their Premier League squad or help them gain promotion next season?
Good enough?
There’s no doubt that Jones has shown impressive form in the Scottish Premiership this season under Steve Clarke at Kilmarnock, good enough to be rewarded with international caps for Northern Ireland.
With four goals and seven assists, he’s been a stand-out in the division on the left flank.
However, is that a goal contribution good enough to match where Villa want to be next season? Whether in the top-flight or pushing for promotion, they need to think about bringing elite players to the club and the jury is out on whether Jones is that or not.
At 23 years of age he is still fairly early in his career and has failed to make an impact at Middlesbrough previously.
Steve Bruce may see potential in him, but Villa need to find the finished product.