Aston Villa: Cantwell claims rejected | OneFootball

A local Norwich journalist has provided an update on Todd Cantwell’s prospective move to Aston Villa…

What’s the talk?

Speaking on The Pink’Un’s Window Watch (3:40) on Friday, Norwich journalist Paddy Davitt rejected claims Todd Cantwell is closing in on a transfer to Aston Villa.

Football Insider reported earlier this week that Cantwell is close to signing for Dean Smith’s side and the two clubs are in advanced talks over a deal, but Davitt has poured cold water on that report.

“No. There is no imminent ‘we’re getting to the I’s T’s and he’s off to the Midlands with his representatives doing medicals’. Absolutely not. Categorically not the case. We’ve spoken to the relevant people at the football club.”

“Right here, right now, Aston Villa and Todd Cantwell? No, absolutely not. As far as Daniel Farke is concerned, he’s planning for Todd.”

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Fans will be gutted

Villa fans will be gutted by this update as it appears to throw a spanner in the works in regards to a potential deal for the attacker. After the initial report from Football Insider, you could forgive supporters for starting to get excited about the England under-21 forward arriving at Villa Park, but that now appears to not be the case – at least in the immediate future.

This means that the first claim may have been a ploy by his agent to generate interest in his signature, or to use as leverage in contract negotiations with Norwich. It is claimed in the Football Insider copy that Cantwell only has one year left on his deal, but the Canaries hold a one-year extension option as part of the agreement and that means he essentially has two years to run on his contract.

The 23-year-old could be a terrific addition to Dean Smith’s squad and fans will be frustrated if the reports turn out to be completely false. Ex-Norwich centre-forward Dean Ashton once lavished praise on the “wonderful” gem. He said: “When I first saw him I said to Darren Huckerby, ‘how is that lad not training with the first-team?’. He was incredible. The way he was drifting past players. His speed of thought and his awareness. He’s just a wonderful player.”

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Cantwell registered six goals and six assists in 30 starts in the Championship as Norwich won the second-tier title last season. This can be compared to Jack Grealish’s year in 2018/19 campaign for Villa, as he managed six goals and seven assists in 34 games in the same division. The pair are similar players in style, as they both like to drop deep and hold onto the ball; drawing fouls, progressing the play and creating chances.

Therefore, the Norwich man could come in as an excellent understudy to the Villa captain and that is why Johan Lange must act on any potential interest in him. Whilst a deal may not be imminent following this latest update, there is still over a month left to go in the window for Lange to do something about it.

AND in other news, “I imagine Villa will…” – AVFC journalist drops transfer claim amid Leon Bailey interest…