Aston Villa have been in excellent form throughout the summer transfer window.
Dean Smith’s side survived by the skin of their teeth last season, staying up on the final day of the Premier League campaign.
And, as they look to take the next step and start to compete, rather than survive, they have splashed the cash.
Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore, Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, and Ross Barkley have all come into the club.
And it appears that they aren’t done yet.
The Daily Telegraph reports that the club have made a bid to sign Bournemouth striker Josh King prior to the domestic transfer deadline.
Premier League clubs have until the end of next week to sign players from the Championship or below, and they have made a move to snap up the striker.
King scored six goals in the Premier League last season as Bournemouth were relegated and Villa are plotting a £16m swoop.
And Darren Bent, the former Villa striker, believes he would be a superb signing for Smith’s men.
He told Football Insider: “It would be superb, because then you’re talking about Ollie Watkins, Josh King, Bertrand Traore – that’s a front three right there.
“They’re all proven so that would be brilliant.
“I’m surprised Josh King is still there [at Bournemouth] though.
“If Villa could go and get him as well, I really like what they’re doing. For me, recruitment-wise, Aston Villa have been A+. I expect them to have a really successful season.”
The former Manchester United academy product has been with the Cherries since 2015, scoring 50 times in 171 outings.
This season, though, he has played just 23 minutes in the Championship.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
Like Bent says, this would give Villa a rather mouthwatering front three.
King is a fine player and is also capable of playing in a number of positions.
He is both a striker and a left winger, and is equally adept at both roles.
After a summer of major investment, a £16m deal for King is small change, especially when one considers that he has a proven Premier League scoring record.
Villa should do everything they can to bring him in.