Exclusive: Aston Villa Plot Late Bid for Fulham Star Harry Wilson Before Deadline

Aston Villa are weighing-up the merits of exploiting the uncertainty surrounding Marco Silva’s future at Fulham by making an approach for Harry Wilson before this evening’s transfer deadline, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

Previously of Liverpool, Wilson is currently playing the best football of a career which also saw him represent the likes of Crewe Alexandra, Hull City, Derby County and AFC Bournemouth before making the switch to Craven Cottage.

Silva is widely expected to leave west London at the end of the present campaign, having spent five years in charge of the Premier League club as he looks to build his profile across Europe. And, given his influence over the right winger, that could prompt Wilson to exploit the interest in him by looking to follow the Portuguese through the exit door.

Villa, whose title ambitions were dashed when they were beaten 1-0 by 10 man Brentford on Sunday afternoon, are in the market for attacking reinforcements after watching both Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott fail to live-up to their expectations during the first half of what has otherwise been an impressive campaign. 

Leeds United have also reportedly rekindled their interest in Wilson, while newly promoted Brentford have joined the chase, leaving Fulham hoping to retain their star winger amid mounting transfer speculation.

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Experienced and of proven character, Wilson would be an obvious target for a team hoping to secure Champions League status next term. 

Equally, his relatively modest salary - by top-flight standards at least - are expected to prove attractive as Villa’s hierarchy look to comply with UEFA’s financial regulations.

Although he has no intent of creating havoc behind the scenes by openly agitating for a switch, the opportunity to join a side of Villa’s stature would obviously appeal to Wilson, who turns 29 in March.

Unlike many of his top-flight counterparts, Unai Emery enjoys almost sole control over transfer policy at Villa Park and is a known admirer of Wilson, who has been capped 67 times and scored 17 goals at senior level for Wales.