Robert Snodgrass’ hopes of completing a permanent move to Aston Villa have been scuppered after their play-off final defeat, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The regional newspaper claim that Villa were keen to convert the Scotland international’s loan into a full-time transfer had they secured promotion to the Premier League.
The Mail report a transfer is now “all but impossible” as Villa need to raise around £40million to comply with financial fair play guidelines.
OPINION
What a crushing blow for Villa, Snodgrass and West Ham. The left footer fell out with the Hammers hierarchy after his move to the London Stadium turned sour last year, but he has rebuilt his reputation at Midlands giants Villa. Snodgrass was a mainstay of the side that came within a whisker of returning to the Premier League after two years. He scored goals (eight), created even more (13) and has been a hugely influential figure on and off the pitch in the recently-completed campaign. Steve Bruce has made it clear he wants to sign the Hammer permanently, but the cost of the deal rules out that possibility. There is no way West Ham are going to allow a rival to sign Snodgrass on the cheap, and they will believe his stellar Championship campaign merits a similar fee to the £10million one they paid Hull in January of last year. Villa’s financial issues as they aim to keep their heads above water mean they must take a back seat.
