Aston Villa transfer news: James Bree on Steve Bruce’s radar with Claret and Blues boss ready to offer £4million for Barnsley starlet
Right-back Bree, 19, has been superb for Tykes this season and Oakwell club face fight to keep hold of him, skipper Conor Hourihane and striker Sam Winnall
ASTON VILLA boss Steve Bruce is ready to offer £4million for Barnsley's brilliant young right-back James Bree.
Bruce wants to buy the talented defender and put him straight into his side as part of a major overhaul of the Championship outfit.
The Villa chief made a shock round-trip to watch Bree for the final time in the FA Cup at the weekend before dashing off to join his squad at Tottenham.
Villa will fork out big cash and also pay wages that would dwarf what the teenage is on at Oakwell, where they have been unable to tie him down to a new contract.
Bree has been watched by all of the Premier League big guns, but Villa will make the first serious cash offer and are optimistic about their chances.
Barnsley are under siege with interest in their players after a sensational last 12 months.
Skipper Conor Hourihane and striker Sam Winnall are wanted men.
And centre half Marc Roberts has West Brom and Burnley fighting over his services.
But he will not move unless bids reach around £5 million.
Villa have moved for Norwich ace Robbie Brady, offering Ross McCormack in an audacious swap deal.
They have also bid for Forest skipper Henri Lansbury, having brought goalkeeper Sam Johnstone on loan for Manchester United.
