According to TEAMtalk, Aston Villa are interested in Stefan Johansen, Floyd Ayite and Neeskens Kebano who have been ‘told they can move on’ from Fulham by their manager Claudio Ranieri. The trio of players are reportedly expendable to the Cottagers and have interest from West Bromwich Albion, Leeds United and Middlesbrough.
Johansen is a central midfielder who is out of contract in the summer, The 28-year-old joined the Londoners from Celtic in 2016 and has made 104 appearances in all competitions. Johansen has been short of playing time this season, however, with the Norwegian international amassing only 411 minutes of playing time in the Premier League.
Ayite can operate as a centre-forward and on the left and right flank wings. He also joined Fulham in 2016 from SC Bastia and has been short of opportunities this campaign. The 30-year-old has made seven league appearances, two League Cup appearances and one in the FA Cup. He’s out of contract in a matter of months.
As for Kebano, the 26-year-old forward has made six appearances in all competitions, amassing just over 200 minutes of playing time. Kebano could leave on a free transfer at the end of the season due to a lack of opportunities at Fulham. He joined in 2016 and has made 67 appearances.
Villa have the funds available to recruit new players, but it’s unknown if Dean Smith will raid Fulham for any one of the aforementioned trio.
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Midfielder ‘could leave’ if Aston Villa receive ‘appropriate offers’ and sign a replacement
