According to Football Insider last week, Derby County and Preston North End both made approaches to take Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis on loan.
The Villa youngster was in the thick of the action during project re-start.
Dean Smith’s side, however, have since bolstered their striker options with the arrival of Ollie Watkins from Brentford while Wesley is to return from injury in December.
(Photo by Geoff Caddick – Pool/Getty Images).
All the evidence pointed to Villa sending their young striker out on loan, while Derby currently lack a centre-forward who boasts the type of attributes Davis possesses.
But Mbwana Samatta’s departure from Villa has made a loan deal now seem unlikely.
Villa only signed Samatta in January, but he has now joined Fenerbahce. Smith, meanwhile, highlighted Davis as a reason behind his exit, telling Express and Star:
He [Samatta] couldn’t be guaranteed minutes here and we’ve paid out a record amount of money for Ollie, who we believe is going to be a top striker here. Keinan has signed a new contract as well and we have Wesley to come back in the new year. We just can’t stockpile players and we had an offer from Fenerbahce and I think Ally (Samatta) reluctantly agreed to go.
With Samatta gone, Davis is Villa’s current second choice striker during Wesley’s absence therefore it’s extremely unlikely he will be allowed to leave now.
It’s a blow for both Derby and Preston who lack quality and options upfront.
The Rams have started their campaign in disappointing fashion, losing their opening three Championship game while only finding the net once.
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images).
Jack Marriott has started Derby’s first three games as the lone striker. However, the role doesn’t suit the former Peterborough United man as he lasted just 45 minutes on Saturday.
Villa’s Davis has height, strength and willingness to be an effective lone centre-forward. Unfortunately for Derby, it seems he is no longer an option ahead of the deadline.
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