‘Pole position’ - Aston Villa poised to beat Crystal Palace to January transfer

Aston Villa have been linked with a swoop for Norwich City starlet Jonathan Rowe.

Football Insider claim that the Villains are in ‘pole position’ to sign Rowe in the January transfer window. The report adds that several Premier League clubs are monitoring the forward, and that Crystal Palace are one of them.

He is under contract at Carrow Road until the summer of 2025, having signed a contract extension in January 2022. The England under-21 international has 13 Premier League appearances to his name too and so he is not a complete newcomer to the league.

Rowe has scored seven goals in 13 games this season, including four goals in the opening four fixtures of the season. He has predominantly played as a left-sided winger or left midfield but he is capable of playing on both sides.

The 20-year-old is considered one of the best young talents in the Championship, and made his debut for England’s under-21’s last week. His route into professional football is different to others having mainly played in grassroots football in Wembley, before joining Norwich’s under-18’s team in 2019.

He had not appeared for any of the age-grade teams before then but his club form earned him a call-up to Lee Carsley’s squad. I like him a lot,” said Carsley last week about Rowe.

“He’s a player who is in form along with Jaden Philogene.

“They’re full of confidence and it gives players that aren’t involved in England teams a bit of hope because our recruitment and scouting is massive.

“There are no players not being watched.

“The fact that Jonathan Rowe has come through now in a different way is a testament to him and to Norwich.

“They’ve given him an opportunity to play and he’s played well. I’ve been very impressed with him."

In other news, Football Insider claims that Villa are considering to sign Leon Bailey to a new contract. He has most recently returned from an injury, and is out of contract in 2025, and given both Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings have signed new deals recently despite several years left on their contracts, Bailey is now their next target.