According to a report from the Bournemouth Echo, Bournemouth’s Harry Arter is set to be involved in a transfer tug of war between Stoke City, Fulham and newly promoted Aston Villa in the summer.
The midfielder spent the season on loan at Cardiff City, who dropped down to the Championship after a dismal season.
Arter was one of the few positives in an otherwise poor Cardiff side this season but he is set to return to Bournemouth in the summer. However, with the Cherries already having a loaded midfield, the chances of Arter getting any considerable game time is at a bare minimum.
The 29-year-old is still more than capable of playing at the highest level and a drop down to the Championship isn’t the right step in his career. Aston Villa would be a fine place for him to restart his career and Dean Smith would have a very good player at his disposal next season.
Villa will need to solidify their squad on their return to the Premier League next season to have any chance of surviving there. Dean Smith’s side have done really well but they definitely need help in the centre of the park.
Glenn Whelan has done remarkably well in the deeper role in midfield but at 35 years of age, he could prove to be a liability as witnessed in the playoff semi-final against West Brom where he gifted the Baggies a goal.
Mistakes like that would be extremely costly in the unforgiving Premier League where fine margins decide the fate of the smaller teams.
Villa should bring in someone much younger but still experienced and Harry Arter is the perfect option.
The 29-year-old has mainly played as a defensive midfielder this season for Cardiff but he is more than capable of playing further up the pitch. His work rate is as good as anybody and his positioning has been quite superb this season.
Arter is very good in retrieving the ball with his tackles and on his day, it is very hard to get past him.
That is exactly the kind of steel Villa need in the Premier League next season to stay up and Dean Smith should make a move for him in the summer.
Read More Aston Villa news, click here: Aston Villa latest news
Harry Arter is a proven commodity in the Premier League and his experience in midfield will certainly help Villa next season.
His versatility of playing anywhere across central midfield will be an asset to Dean Smith, who will have a fine player at his disposal if Villa sign him in the summer.
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…
In the annals of football history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as…
Are you new to the world of football betting and would you like to take…
If you are into sports betting, staying ahead of the game is crucial. One way…