Aston Villa set to re-sign ‘powerful midfielder’ nearly five years after his Man City departure

Aston Villa are closing on a deal to add Manchester City midfielder Kane Taylor to their ranks.

The Villans have placed an emphasis on adding good quality youngsters to their team this summer and have already signed the likes of Lewis Dobbin (21) and Amadou Onana (22) from Everton, Ian Maatsen (22) from Chelsea and former academy star Jaden Philogene (22) from Hull City.

Taylor is expected to be the latest in the line of youngsters to move to Villa Park this summer, and like Philogene is a familiar face to a number of the club’s coaching staff, having come through the ranks at Bodymoor Heath.

The 19-year-old, described by the Manchester City club website as a ‘powerful midfielder’, left the West Midlands to move to City back in 2019, but is now poised to return to the club nearly five years on from his departure, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Romano posted on X: “Aston Villa are closing on an agreement for 2005 born midfielder Kane Taylor from Manchester City U21. Long term deal almost sealed between player and #AVFC after deal in place between the two clubs. Here we go, soon."

Taylor signed his scholarship with City’s academy in 2021 and enjoyed steady progress to the Under-18s before earning further opportunities in Premier League 2. The teenager caught the eye in the UEFA Youth League last season and recorded an impressive nine goal contributions throughout his six appearances.

The 19-year-old is primarily viewed as a central midfielder, but has on occasion proved himself as a useful centre back option when playing for the Citizens at academy level.

Taylor is yet to play a senior game in the Premier League as a professional and will be hoping to make his breakthrough this season for his boyhood club as they compete in the Champions League for the first time since 1983.