Aston Villa are interested in Coventry City midfielder Tom Bayliss but face competition from West Brom and fellow Premier League new boys Sheffield United as reported by The Sun.
The article claims Sheffield United have registered an interest in Bayliss but face competition from Villa with the Baggies also keen.
The youngster has already made seventy-three appearances for the Sky Blues, despite only turning twenty in April. He broke into the first-team during Coventry’s League Two promotion season in 2017/18 making thirty-two appearances, providing four assists and scoring six goals in an eye-catching debut campaign.
The step up to League One caused the talented midfielder no issues with Bayliss making forty-one outings in 2018/19, contributing three assists and three goals.
It is form that was bound to lead to speculation over his future and Coventry have been bracing themselves for his departure all summer. Liverpool and Everton have also both been linked with the youngster, and reports claim the Sky Blues turned down a bid from Derby County in 2018 as they battle to hang onto their young star.
However, speaking to Coventry Live last month Coventry CEO Dave Boddy said: ‘We haven’t had any inquiries or bids (this summer) as yet, but there’s been lots of speculation.’
Our View
Speculation continues over Bayliss and it appears a new club is linked with him every day.
He is a talent make no mistake, but he is far from the finished article, and some City fans might be happy for the club to take the money and run, especially if an interested party meets a reported £3 million release clause.
It may all be just paper talk and Bayliss might well be a Sky Blue next season.
In our view, another season in League One might be better for his development than a crack at the Premier League this early in his career.
It is a massive step up, and Bayliss could find himself in Under-23 football and out on loan at an EFL club in January.
