Aston Villa swoop for 20-year-old Premier League captain as cut-price transfer suggested

Aston Villa are being linked with a move for the Premier League’s youngest captain this season Oliver Arblaster from Sheffield United.

The 20-year-old donned the captain's armband in the 4-2 defeat to Manchester United last weekend and followed it up against Newcastle United. Sheffield United's relegation was confirmed last weekend and now there are teams that are ready to pounce with one of those being Villa.

Scouts across the Premier League are said to have been watching over Arblaster since he made his Premier League debut earlier this year according to the Telegraph. Villa along with West Ham have been 'closely' monitoring him but the Blades are determined to keep hold of him as they see him a key part of their plans next season.

Arblaster signed a new deal with the Blades in February and is under contract at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2028. His contract length does not rule out a departure from Yorkshire but United can demand a premium price for their brightest young prospect.

He spent the first part of the season on loan with Port Vale in League One and was head and shoulders above his teammates. He got two goals and two assists in 26 appearances for the Valiants and without him they were relegated to League Two.

A move for Arblaster might not be the only bit of business that Villa and Sheffied United do this summer. Cameron Archer is due to return to Villa after news emerged of an interesting clause in the £18m deal agreed last summer.

Football Insider have reported that Villa included a buy-back clause in Archer's transfer after selling him last summer. He would be made available for a cut-price fee of £14m, £4m less than what United paid for him.

The 22-year-old has got four goals and one assist in 29 games for United this season. He began the season at Villa and made a five-minute cameo off of the bench against Everton in the 4-0 win back in August. One of his league goals this season was against his former club in a 1-1 draw back in December.