Aston Villa receive major transfer boost as target 'tells' current club he won't sign new deal

Aston Villa have been handed a significant transfer boost amid reports one of their main targets, Coventry City’s Callum O’Hare, has reportedly told the Sky Blues that he will leave the club on a free transfer upon the expiration of his current contract.

This is according to a report from Football Insider. The player is said to have rejected multiple contract offers from Coventry this season and it seems he is intent on leaving them. As such, this would open the door for Villa to make a move for the 26-year-old.

Villa are not the only Premier League outfit interested in O’Hare’s services, however as West Ham United are also thought to be in the hunt. Additionally, Southampton are also believed to be interested.

He has been with Villa in the past after he progressed through their academy as a youngster before joining Coventry when he was released from his deal at Villa Park. Now, he may have an opportunity to show the Villans what they have been missing.

What would Callum O’Hare bring to Aston Villa?

While O’Hare is a talented attacking midfielder, the Villans have no shortage of talent in the final third of the pitch. With players such as Emi Buendia, Nicolo Zaniolo and Jacob Ramsey all capable of occupying O’Hare’s natural role, chances in the first team could be scarce at first glance.

Despite this, Zaniolo is only at Villa on loan and they may not sign him on a permanent basis. Meanwhile, Buendia has been out with a long-term injury and Jacob Ramsey is perhaps more comfortable in a deeper role. As such, this would open up a space in the Villans’ squad for O’Hare to occupy his preferred role.

This season, O’Hare has scored six goals and has notched up three assists over the course of 30 Championship games. While he is a talented player with brilliant movement, he is prone to injuries - he only played 11 league games in the 2022/23 season because of this.