Aston Villa face uphill task to sign Burnley defender Ben Gibson
Villa face an uphill struggle in their ambitious bid to prise Ben Gibson from Burnley.
The 26-year-old centre-back has emerged as a surprise target for Dean Smith, as he looks to strengthen his team’s leaky defence.
Yet Burnley are in no mood to part with a player who joined them only last summer from Middlesbrough in a joint club record £15million deal.
An initial approach from Villa to take Gibson on loan, with a view to a permanent deal, is thought to have been rejected.
The Premier League club appear unlikely, at this stage, to change their stance before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
Bournemouth’s Tyrone Mings remains a prime target for Smith, with Cherries boss Eddie Howe admitting on Tuesday the 25-year-old could leave.
Albion and Nottingham Forest are also interested in Mings, who can play at both left-back and centre-back.
Smith remains keen to add a midfielder before the end of the month, with Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden among his top targets.
