West Ham United will not allow Robert Snodgrass to return to Aston Villa this season, with the midfielder set to stay at the London Stadium, according to the Mail.
The newspaper’s transfer centre (09/08; 09:34) states that boss Steve Bruce was keen on bringing the Scotland international back to Villa Park, where he spent last season on loan, but that the Hammers have shot down their approaches.
The report states that Villa would have to pay more than the 60% of Snodgrass’s wages that they paid last term, something which appears very unlikely.
This news represents a massive turnaround for Snodgrass’s career in East London, with his time at the club looking over last year when he fell out with then-manager Slaven Bilic and was shipped out to Villa.
OPINION
This feels like a good move for West Ham. Snodgrass was impressive at at the club before his departure, and he was good for Bruce’s side last season. He won’t be first choice in the Hammers midfield this season, he’ll likely have to play himself into the team, but it’s worth a gamble for Manuel Pellegrini. Snodgrass has Premier League experience from his time at Norwich and Hull, which will be important in a squad packed with new recruits. The Scotland international has been given a big chance to reignite his West Ham career, and he must take it. He’s a talented player, whose service from the flanks will be key if Andy Carroll ever stays fit, and he could have a big impact for the Hammers this season. This will be a bitter blow for Bruce in what’s been a tricky summer transfer window for the Villa boss, but this appears to be the right decision for the Premier League side.
