Villa and NSWE now want to sign 'stand out' forward after Suarez; Gerrard not messing around

Aston Villa are reportedly keen on signing West Ham forward Sonny Perkins this summer.

Villa have been hard at work prior to the transfer window officially opening, with permanent deals for Philippe Coutinho, Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos already in place.

Steven Gerrard’s side are now exploring a move for Luis Suarez following his release from Atletico Madrid. Gregg Evans has recently added that Villa are ‘still weighing up’ a swoop for the former Liverpool star, and another highly-rated forward is also on the club’s radar.

According to ExWHUemployee, relayed by West Ham Zone, Villa and Leeds are both in the race to sign Perkins.

The 18-year-old is out of contract at the London Stadium at the end of the month and is yet to agree on new terms due to his ‘large wage’ demands. That has led to interest from Villa Park and Elland Road, with a potential compensation move on the cards.

Perkins, described as a ‘stand out’ player for the Hammers youth side, seems to be an extremely talented centre-forward. He scored 16 goals in 24 appearances in Premier League 2 and the U18s Premier League, picking up the PL2 Player of the Month award in April.

The teenager also made two senior appearances in the Europa League and one in the Premier League last season, so a cut-price move to the Midlands could turn out to be a smart one in the long run.

Gerrard has already snapped up three huge talents, and adding another alongside an experienced head in Suarez would be a scarcely believable first summer window in charge for the gaffer.

In other news: Villa and NSWE adore ‘astonishing’ next target after Carlos; says ‘deal will happen’. 

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