Aston Villa aren’t short of options at centre-back with Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Kortney Hause and Bjorn Engels on the books. However, Engels could be on his way out this month amid interest from clubs in Belgium, which could force Dean Smith into signing a replacement.
According to 90min, Aston Villa are interested in Celtic defender Jack Hendry and may have to battle Wolves, Brighton, Bournemouth, Werder Bremen, Freiburg, Brondby, AZ Alkmaar and Genk for his signature.
The 6ft 3in centre-back doesn’t seem to have a future at Parkhead but has impressed on loan at Oostende in Belgium, leading to a lot of interest in Europe. Although he is contracted to stay at the Diaz Arena until June, 90min claimed that Oostende could lose him if Celtic sanction a transfer this month.
He has made 14 appearances this season for the Belgian First Division A side and has a £1.75m buyout clause attached which can be triggered, but his future may lie away from both Celtic and Oostende. Hendry has started only 18 games for the Hoops since joining from Dundee in 2018 while struggling to impress at Parkhead, so the Scottish champions probably won’t stand in his way if he wants out permanently.
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According to 90min, Hendry has aspirations of playing for Scotland in this summer’s European Championships, so a move to a bigger club than Oostende may boost his chances of making Steve Clarke’s squad.
With Villa eighth in the Premier League and firmly in the hunt for European football next term, Dean Smith’s side may be an attractive destination for the 24-year-old.
