Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has given a transfer hint amid links with signing either Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Ross Barkley on loan from Chelsea this summer.
Smith has been linked with an interest in both of the English Blues duo on loan from Frank Lampard’s side, although due to the Premier League’s loan rules, Villa would only be able to sign one Chelsea player on loan this season.
It is being reported that of Loftus-Cheek and Barkley, the former is more likely to leave before the transfer window closes after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
Smith has admitted that the club are targeting signing another midfielder and it could mean that a move for either Loftus-Cheek or Barkley is likely.
“Midfield is an area we’re looking at where we feel we lack numbers,” Smith told the Express & Star.
“There are many players who are speculated upon all the time and we are looking to add more to the squad.
“We don’t want too many more because we don’t want to be stockpiling players but we want to add some quality where we can.
“We’ve got John McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Marvelous Nakamba, Conor Hourihane and Jack (Grealish) who can also play there.
"But we feel he’s a bit more productive playing off the left, so we’re a little bit light in there. It’s certainly an area we’re looking at.”
