Aston Villa complete transfer of Rico Richards from West Brom – Fabrizio Romano

 

Aston Villa have “completed” a deal to sign West Brom youngster Rico Richards on a free transfer this summer, according to fabriyio roman;

The teenager made one apearance in the Championship last season, as half of his two total senior appearances, but won’t be adding to that total as he becomes the latest to head to the local rivals.

With his contract expiring Villa have swooped in to snap him up, continuing somewhat of a trend in recent years, and the versatile attacker moves on.

Reporting via Twitter on Monday (3 July) Romano wrote: “Understand Aston Villa have completed Rico Richards deal from West Bromwich, here we go. Agreement in place on a two year contract.

“19 year old talented attacking midfielder will join Villa on free transfer.”

West Brom are going to lose players this summer whether they like it or not thanks to the perilous financial situation at the club.

Dara O’Shea’s sale to Burnley has lifted some of the danger but it is an unfortunate fact of the way the club has been run in recent years that Carlos Corberan is going to see his squad weakened before he gets a chance to rebuild.

In that context the departure of Richards on a free is perhaps not the biggest blow, but fans won’t particularly enjoy another player heading to Villa.

 

Jamaldeen Jimoh made the same move last month, netting the Baggies £1million in the process [Birmingham Live, 13 June], just as Finn Aziz did two years ago in the same summer as Tim Iroegbunam, to name but a few.

If these are players who have little viable future at The Hawthorns then it is one thing, but when the club are absolutely not flush with cash to spend in the transfer market, it would be beneficial to be able to develop top academy talents in house and bring them through for a fraction of the price.

Richards won’t be contributing as Corberan looks to find a way to mount another promotion push next season, and the Spaniard will be bracing himself to probably see some more faces depart this summer in the coming weeks.