Premier League sides Aston Villa and Fulham are reportedly in a battle to try and sign Hellas Verona full-back Josh Doig in the ongoing January transfer window.
According to transfer expert Dean Jones (via GIVEMESPORT), Premier League clubs Fulham and Aston Villa hold a long-standing interest in Hellas Verona full-back Josh Doig, and have made “checks on his form” in Italy as the duo look to swoop in for his services after the collapse of a transfer to Marseille.
The Scottish Under-21 international has been a key feature for his side this season playing 14 times in all competitions, while the flying full-back chalked up two goals and four assists in 22 appearances last term. Seen as one of the best talents in the division, his stellar form has seen his stock rise multifold, and he has been linked with a whole host of sides in this window so far.
In fact, the 21-year-old very nearly moved on from Hellas Verona in recent days. Marseille launched a £4.3 million bid for the Scottish defender, and everything appeared all set up for the former Hibs star to leave Verona for the south of France with terms agreed by both sides, and between the player and the Ligue 1 outfit.
Doig was keen to move to Marseille, but Hellas pulled the plug when they felt they could get more money out of other suitors, which is something they need due to Hibs’ inserting a hefty 27.5 per cent sell-on clause when they sold him to Verona in the first place.
The report adds that the player is hoping that one more fresh round of discussions would turn the tables around and allow him to finalise his move to Marseille. However, if that does not happen, he will have the option to stay in Italy, with a lucrative offer from Sassuolo on the table, while Premier League clubs such as Fulham and Aston Villa are now also showing an interest in landing his signature.
Villa boss Unai Emery is also looking to bolster the left side of his defence to provide competition for Lucas Digne, with the future back-up Alex Moreno up in the air amid links with a move to AS Roma.
Renowned for his creativity from wide areas and ability to get the ball out of his feet and whip dangerous crosses into the box, Doig is generally more capable of producing quality in the final third, but working under Emery can see him develop into a complete full-back.
As for Fulham, USMNT speedster Antonee Robinson is a regular starter for Marco Silva’s side at left-back, and was rewarded with a new contract only five months ago that is set to keep him at Craven Cottage until 2028. However, Silva has little cover beyond Robinson, so someone like Doig may be an effective cover option in the short-term, and a potential starter in the long haul.
A left back is a low priority for Fulham they have plenty of cover