£500,000 Rated Swindon Town Player Subject Of Premier League Tug Of War

Swindon Town defender Harley Hunt is the subject of a Premier League tug-of-war between Aston Villa and Southampton as they look to secure the 16-year-old defender’s signature this summer. 

The Robins have reportedly placed a £500,000 price tag on the academy product who has made a handful of appearances for the first team as Premier League interest hots up. Both Aston Villa and Southampton are keen to pick up the player this summer.

Swindon Town’s official website describes the player as “a tall athletic centre-back who can carry the football into midfield comfortably”.

The Swindon-born defender has been with the club since he was six years old progressing through the ranks before appearing for the senior side in the final three games of the season.

The player appeared in games against Grimsby Town, Morecambe and Walsall, starting the latter two. He was also part of the side that shocked Manchester United in the FA Youth Cup in January, beating them 2-0 at the County Ground.

A much-needed boost to Swindon Town?

The Robins have had a difficult period behind the scenes, with accusations of late payments and FA Charges blighting what is a big club for the level. This has bled onto the pitch as Swindon Town suffered its worst-ever finish in their history 19th place in League Two on just 54 points.

Mark Kennedy has come into the club and has made it clear that there is a competitive budget to build a squad in his image after high profile departures of players such as Charlie Austin and Frazer Blake-Tracy.

However, a £500,000 boost to the pot for a player yet to really dent the first-team squad could be a welcome bonus to the former Lincoln City manager.

If Swindon are smart enough to insert a sell-on clause or additional add-ons it could be a deal worth much more than the initial outlay too.

Teams like Peterborough United often benefit from hefty sell on clauses 2, 3 or 4 years down the line from when players depart the club.

With the club still needing to raise funds a sale like this could be the difference between another season of mediocracy and a push for promotion, if they are allowed to spend it on the squad.