Portsmouth and Oxford United in transfer 'battle' to sign Aston Villa forward Tommi O'Reilly
After being linked with a move for Lorient forward Bamba Dieng, Pompey are now being credited with an interest in an Aston Villa forward ahead of the summer transfer window opening
Pompey are being credited with an interest in Aston Villa youngster Tommi O’Reilly.
Both transfer specialists Alan Nixon and Pete O’Rourke are reporting that the Blues are keen to bring the 22-year-old forward to Fratton Park next season.
Their apparent interest stems from an impressive season on loan for the Villa Park academy product at League Two Crewe Alexandra, where O’Reilly has already been named the Railwaymen’s player of the season.
Lee Bell’s side currently sit 10th in the table ahead of their final game of the campaign against Cambridge United on Saturday. Three defeats in a row have made for a disappointing end to their season.
But there’s nothing disappointing from O’Reilly’s stay at the Alexandra Stadium, with the attacker starting all of Crewe’s 45 league games to date. The former MK Dons loanee has also chipped in with 20 goal contributions, including seven league goals and 11 assists in the fourth tier.
That’s reportedly put many clubs on alert, including Oxford United, who will compete in League One next season following confirmation of their relegation from the Championship at the weekend.
However, Pompey are also supposedly keen and could have the edge over any rivals given their place in next season’s Championship is secure.
The Blues will be looking to strengthen their right-wing position, where O’Reilly has played the majority of this season for Crewe.
At present, John Mousinho has the likes of Gustavo Caballero (loan), Harvey Blair, Franco Umeh and Adrian Segecic at his disposal to operate in that wide attacking right role.
However, only Segecic, who refers to play in the No10 role, has provided the consistenty needed to hold down a place in the position this season - and the fitness.
It’s definitely a problem position Pompey will be looking to address ahead of the 2026-27 season.
According to O’Rourke, Villa would be keen for O’Reilly to head out on loan again to continue his development in the EFL. There’s no suggestion of a permanent move away from the Premier League side.
The forward is under contract at Villa Park, where he has been since the age of seven, until 2028.
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