Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing 22-year-old KAA Gent left-back Archie Brown, valued at £17 million.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Archie Brown is attracting interest from the Premier League heading into the summer transfer window. Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are keen on signing the 22-year-old KAA Gent left-back, with recent updates also linking him with Chelsea. Meanwhile, the Belgian outfit will demand around £17 million to part ways with the youngster.
Who is Archie Brown?
Archie Brown has come leaps and bounds since joining KAA Gent from Lausanne-Sport in August 2023. A native of Birmingham, the youngster represented England in his youth career but is eligible to represent Jamaica at the senior level. Meanwhile, he spent his formative years in England, graduating from the Derby County youth division.
The 22-year-old was a regular for KAA Gent this past season, amassing nearly 3,500 minutes of game time across 44 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with four assists. Meanwhile, Brown’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace.
Return to England on the cards?
Chelsea might delve into the market for a left-back amid uncertainties surrounding the futures of Ian Maatsen and Marc Cucurella. While the latter improved his fortunes with a solid second half of the 2023/24 campaign, recent reports have linked him with Aston Villa. Speaking of Villa, the Villans and Crystal Palace have submitted enquiries for Brown.
Aston Villa’s interest in Archie Brown is understandable. The Villans are scouring the market for a left-back heading into the summer transfer window, with one of Alex Moreno and Lucas Digne likely to depart from Villa Park in the summer transfer window. So, Brown has emerged as a viable target for Aston Villa.
As for Crystal Palace, Tyrick Mitchell has been a top-notch performer for the South London club in the last few years. However, Oliver Glasner wants another left-back in his squad this summer. In addition, Brown can be a central defensive solution for Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old will not cost a bomb, with Gent demanding £17 million to part ways with him.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace should have the funds to cough up £17 million and secure Archie Brown’s services in the summer transfer window. However, it will not be surprising to see Chelsea, Everton, and West Ham United vying for the Englishman’s signature.
