Aston Villa are reportedly considering delaying their pursuit of a Premier League striker until the final days of the transfer window this summer.
The Birmingham club have been linked with a number of attacking targets as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his forward line ahead of next season.
Villa finished strongly in the Premier League last season and Emery is keen to build a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the table.
Adding a proven Premier League striker would represent a significant statement of intent from the club as they continue their upward trajectory.
Waiting until the end of the window is a strategy employed by many clubs, as it can give them greater leverage in negotiations with selling sides.
Clubs holding out on key assets are often more willing to negotiate as the window approaches its deadline, which can result in better deals for buyers.
Villa’s recruitment team have shown themselves to be shrewd operators in the market, and a late move would be consistent with that patient approach.
Emery has transformed the club since his arrival, turning Villa into a competitive European outfit with genuine top-four ambitions in the Premier League.
The identity of the striker target has not been officially confirmed, though Villa’s interest in strengthening their attack has been widely reported in recent weeks.
Supporters will be watching closely as the window develops, hoping the club can secure the forward reinforcements needed to compete on multiple fronts.
Any incoming striker would need to hit the ground running, with pre-season preparation time potentially limited if a deal is not concluded until late in the window.
Villa’s board has shown a willingness to back Emery in the transfer market, and further investment in the squad this summer is widely expected.
