The Bristol Post are reporting that Premier League newcomers Aston Villa will heavily pursue Bristol City central defender Adam Webster this summer after already having one bid of £12-million knocked back. It is thought that Dean Smith will come in for another offer in due course.
Lee Johnson values his key centre-back at £30-million which would represent the second-highest sale in Championship history for a player who has never competed in the Premier League. Villa will aggressively target Webster with further bids should their next offer be rejected, with the club now being able to flex their financial strength after winning promotion to the top-flight. The lure of Premier League football may prove to be the clinching factor if a deal were to be met between the two clubs.
The 24-year-old made 47 appearances in all competitions, winning four Man of the Match awards and averaging a rating of 7.30. In recent weeks, Smith has been trying to keep hold of former loan ace Tyrone Mings but that move has gone quiet since AFC Bournemouth requested a fee of £15-million for the 26-year-old.
Webster may be the perfect replacement for Mings if a deal can’t be reached anytime soon. Legendary Chelsea centre-back John Terry is remaining at the club in his assistant manager capacity and could prove to be a vital mentor in helping the youngster transition into the Premier League.
You can read the thoughts of some of the Villa faithful below:
If this is who dean wants and believes will improve us then pay the money. CB is an important position????
— Matthew McRoberts (@MattyMcAVFC) June 27, 2019
Would be very suprised if Webster doesn’t try and force a move, its a no-brainer if a premier league are in for you #avfc
— JB (@pufcjaydn) June 27, 2019
If Dean Smith wants to play attacking football in the PL, signing Webster and Mings would be perfect imo. #avfc https://t.co/UmToZjJ1gp
— Mads Kleiv (@MadsKleiv) June 28, 2019
Following the Championship last season I would have thought i'd have heard of Webster, surely if he's value of £30million is correct, a player at Championship level would have been talked about more often. £30M is a lot of money, even in today's market. #AVFC
— The AV Interaction (@AVInteraction) June 27, 2019
£30m isn’t correct, that’s why we only offered £12m. However, he’s their player, and they have every right to slap a huge price tag on him and try and keep him, same as with Phillips and Butland.
That’s what I would want Villa to do in their position, so fair play to them.#AVFC— Phil Roberts (@iamVilla) June 27, 2019
Which almost certainly means overpaying. Think we’re gonna have to bite the bullet this window. Just hope we pick the right targets.
— ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) (@RobertoHollis) June 27, 2019
Just seen a goal that Adam Webster scores for Portsmouth. Dribbles out past two men, retains possession from a challenge with a third, keeps running into the box and manages to tidily finish a ball bouncing around the area. Yes please #avfc
— Jack Nason (@nasonwrite) June 28, 2019
Mings and Webster both over 6ft 3. Both very good on the ball. Aged 26 and 24 and most important one right foot and one left foot. It is a idea back pairing #avfc
— Luke Marshall (@marshallavfc) June 27, 2019