Ben Broggio is attracting interest from League One sides Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient.
The Aston Villa man is said to be highly thought of at Villa Park and has been in and around the first team for the Premier League outfit this season.
According to Mark McAdam, the above-mentioned third-tier strugglers are tracking him in the final week of the January transfer window.
Rising Star
The Sutton Coldfield-born midfielder signed his first professional deal with Villa almost two years ago, after an impressive start to the season with the youth side. Only 17 at the time, the earliest a player can sign their first professional contract, Broggio had played for the U21’s in the Premier League 2. He had also made three cameo appearances in the EFL Trophy.
It was believed that Arsenal were also interested in him at one point, but the wide man committed his future to his boyhood club. His stature at Villa Park only increased after a fabulous campaign last term, scoring nine times and providing five assists across various youth competitions.
Along with netting in the FA Youth Cup, the England youth international grabbed seven goal contributions in as many games in the UEFA Youth League. Broggio also made his debut for the first team, coming on in the latter stages of a League Cup tie at Wycombe Wanderers.
Having been named on the bench three times for the senior side this season, in the Premier League and Europa League, it feels like the 18-year-old needs some senior experience to further his development. The Vertu Trophy only provides so much in terms of playing against EFL sides, whereas a loan move would allow that to be a weekly occurrence.
Two Sides In Trouble
Orient and Wigan have endured difficult campaigns to date, sitting just above the relegation places in League One. Both teams have won just one of their last six third-tier matches, dropping to 18th and 19th place, respectively. While Richie Wellens’ outfit face basement outfit Port Vale this weekend, the Latics have the unenviable task of hosting in-form Lincoln City.
The O’s may have the upper hand in this particular battle. Ryan Lowe’s future at Wigan is up in the air following their dismal run of form, which culminated in another defeat at Wycombe Wanderers last night. Any decision this late in the window would ask serious questions of their January recruitment strategy, which has seen Joe Taylor and Owen Moxon arrive, albeit on loan.
Orient have also made some additions this month, though the only attacking incoming was striker Ajay Matthews from Millwall. Adding some firepower on the wings is exactly what Wellens will be hoping for, after he slammed his side’s recent performance against Doncaster Rovers.
If either side do manage to get a deal over the line for Broggio in the coming days, it could be exactly what is needed to pull them away from danger.
