Aston Villa eye Jurgen Locadio transfer as potential replacement for Christian Benteke

30 Nov 2013 22:30

Paul Lambert fears a big January bid for his star striker and has made a personal scouting trip to check out PSV Eindhoven hitman

Loc and load: Villa boss Lambert went to watch Locadio play last weekend

Dean Mouhtaropoulos

Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is chasing PSV Eindhoven striker Jurgen Locadia – as he searches for Christian Benteke’s ­replacement, writes Alan Nixon in the Sunday People.

Lambert made a hush-hush trip to Holland to see the big and bustling 20-year-old hitman in action for the Dutch giants last weekend.

The Villans' chief is on red alert in case he gets a huge offer for Benteke next month, with Manchester United and Chelsea circling the Belgian battering-ram.

Locadia – a strapping 6ft 3in tall – is a similar type of player and Lambert is ­weighing up whether to make a ­£4million offer for him if Benteke attracts a bid in the ­transfer window.

Villa spies have been ­checking on Holland Under-21 cap Locadia for some time, but a ­personal trip from Lambert confirms their interest is heating up.

The Scot has raided Europe ­several times as Villa seek value for money.

And if they make a ­fortune on Benteke they could have found the next bargain.

Here's a look at Locadia in action: