Steve Bruce will be forced to work with a limited transfer budget this summer due to Aston Villa’s overzealous spending in recent seasons and troubling financial position and will likely have his eyes on a number of potential free transfer additions.
One player that Villa were said to be interested in is Ipswich Town youngster Kundai Benyu. The 19-year-old caught the eye this season on loan with Vanarama National League side Aldershot Town where he scored five goals and provided three assists in 23 appearances as the Shots made it to the play-off semi-final.
The central midfielder made the Ipswich bench four times in 2015 but is yet to make his senior debut for the East Anglian side was said to be considering his future with the likes of Tottenham, Celtic, West Ham and Villa all keeping tabs on his situation.
Out of contract at the end of the month, it looked likely that Benyu would be leaving Portman Road this summer for a nominal compensation fee but the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star understand that the teenager is in advanced talks with Ipswich over signing a new contract.
Even if an agreement isn’t reached, the Tractor Boys are expected to activate their 12-month option on his current contract.
Benyu has just received his first international call-up for Zimbabwe for an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia next month and is expected to spend next season out on loan if he does remain on the books at Ipswich.
