Aston Villa are keen to sign Luton Town’s James Justin, ahead of the 2019-20 season, it has been reported.
The Villans are willing to pay £10 million to land the 21-year-old, who impressed in the 2018-19 season, helping Luton to the League 1 title.
Villa aren’t the only side that are keen on adding Justin to their team as Leicester City are also interested in signing him, as per Daily Star.
However, Aston Villa have the upper hand in the race to sign Justin as they will be able to offer him more opportunities to start in the 2019-20 season, while the Foxes want him as a backup option.
Dean Smith’s side have been quite busy in the transfer market, securing the signings of Kortney Hause, Jota, Anwar El Ghazi, Frédéric Guilbert, and Wesley Moraes (who they signed for a club record fee).
James Justin – Profile
Justin has been at Luton for almost 15 years, having joined his hometown club in 2005 before progressing through the ranks and making his debut in the 2015-16 season.
The right-back became a key figure for Luton in the last season, making 52 appearances in all competitions, scoring thrice and making 9 assists for the club.
Since making his debut in 2016, Justin has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the club and has been named Luton’s Young Player of the Season: twice – 2016-17 and 2018-19.
He was also included in the League 1 Team of the Year in the 2018-19 season after helping Luton top the League 1 table and securing promotion to the Championship.
Justin has been a key part of the squad that has secured two back-to-back promotions.
What would James Justin add to the Aston Villa side?
Justin is a quick and skilful full-back who has ample pace to bomb down the left or right flank, while he also strong and robust while defending. The 21-year-old, who stands at 6 feet tall, is also good at winning headers while defending.
The defender is a versatile player who can play as a right-back or left-back, but is also adept at playing further up the field on the wings, as well as a central midfielder. In fact, Justin began his career as a central midfielder before he was moved over to right-back.
Villa will get a confident and agile full back in Justin, who is ready and capable to make the big jump from League 1 to the Premier League.
With Guilbert — a right-back — set to join as well, and Neil Taylor already an option at left-back, Justin’s potential arrival could foster the competition the club needs for the players to play at their best and ensure the Villans can stay in the top flight.