Neal Maupay is more likely to join Aston Villa than Sheffield United this summer, according to a report from 90min.
The Villans are apparently ready to step up their interest in the Brentford striker. Manager Dean Smith is keen to bolster his attack ahead of a return to the Premier League.
Villa are already the busiest club in the top flight of English football. They’ve signed eight players so far, spending close to £100m in the process. Another £10m has been agreed for Kasimpasa winger Trezeguet.
Maupay could therefore be their tenth new addition after earning promotion from the Championship via the playoffs. The Bees have set an asking price of £20m for the Frenchman.
The 22-year-old is keen on a move to the Premier League, with the Blades having also been strongly linked. Maupay was recently sent home from the pre-season tour of Austria to clear his head amid speculation about his future.
Smith feels he needs more firepower at Villa Park and is keen on a reunion with the forward. The 48-year-old first brought Maupay to English football back in 2017, landing the attacker from Saint-Etienne when he was in charge at Griffin Park.
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If a report from the Yorkshire Post is to be believed, then United have already turned their attention away from Maupay.
It’s said boss Chris Wilder wants three more signings after breaking the club record for a third time this summer when Lys Mousset arrived from Bournemouth in a £10m deal.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson is expected to return on loan from Manchester United, Meanwhile, the South Yorkshire club will increase their interest in Nottingham Forest’s Ben Osborn.
Oli McBurnie is their final target. Swansea City have already rejected a £15m bid from Bramall Lane for the Scotland international. Yet Wilder remains set on acquiring McBurnie before the new season begins.