New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is considering a move for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young as his first major summer signing as he looks to overhaul the squad and increase the British quota within it.
Hodgson has had to juggle with the expectations that Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could both leave Anfield this summer, while new UEFA and Premier League rules would mean that the club needs to add more homegrown, but not necessarily British, players in the squad – something which the club could struggle to cope with unless it introduces more of its youth talent or sign more current British players.
And Hodgson is prepared to make Young his first such signing. The former Fulham coach will be contacting Villa boss Martin O’Neill to enquire about a possible sale, although it is unlikely the latter would want to part with one of his best players at Villa Park. The winger has also previously been linked with Anfield but the interest was never taken further with the Ulsterman refusing to let him go.
The 25-year-old Young has featured with dazzling displays down the left wing since joining the Premier League club almost three seasons ago and has been selected for England in the past. Young failed to make his country’s World Cup squad but is believed to be now under heavy consideration by manager Fabio Capello as the Italian looks to reshape his plans for the future.
“We would be foolish not to be aware of the importance of homegrown players with the way UEFA and Premier League rules are going,” Hodgson said.
“Otherwise we’re going to struggle to get our squad numbers together.
“I think the club have been trying to do that already with younger players like Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling but it takes time for them to come through so we might have to go into the transfer market.”
Young could cost considerably much more than the £10 million Villa paid Watford for his signature in 2007, and with Liverpool facing dire financial straits, Hodgson may be forced to sell before buying.
Israeli international Yossi Benayoun has already moved to Chelsea for £6.5 million while Hodgson is believed to be considering letting wantaway midfielder Javier Mascherano leave for either Inter Milan or Barcelona in a sale which could net him £25 million more for future player purchases. The Anfield boss is understood to not want to force unhappy players to stay on at the club and would prefer to get rid of them quickly as he rushes a rebuilding plan on Merseyside.
Tags: Ashley Young, Aston Villa, Barcelona, English Premier League, Inter Milan, Javier Mascherano, La Liga, Liverpool, Roy Hodgson, Serie A, transfer news, Yossi Benayoun
