Bristol Rovers are close to securing a loan deal for Premier League Aston Villa youngster Lino Sousa as they look to strengthen their depth on the left-hand side of their defence.
After securing a winning start to their League One season last weekend, Bristol Rovers are looking to improve the quality of their squad even further as they look to push on.
After a mid-table finish last season in the division, the Gas fans are hoping to see a much better season this time out.
They are aiming towards the playoff places this season as they look to finally make the step into the second tier after decades of drifting between the bottom two divisions in the EFL as well as the National League.
They could soon have another talented arrival to their squad, however, with a Premier League youth star seemingly on his way to Rovers.
Sousa to Bristol Rovers?
According to Bristol Rovers reporter Dan Hargraves, the Gas are close to confirming a deal for Aston Villa left-back Lino Sousa.
It is set to be a nice improvement to the full-back position for Rovers, as they look to secure solid depth options to help them push for a playoff place this year.
The 19-year-old starred in Arsenal’s academy before making the move to Aston Villa in February of this year.
He made his long-awaited senior debut last season, as he made the move to Plymouth Argyle in the Championship to finally establish himself at the senior level.
He made eight appearances for Argyle in the second half of the 2023/24 season, as he showed impressive glimpses but failed to truly establish himself as their starting full-back.
Will it work for Sousa?
The glimpses he did show last season with Argyle were promising, and a step down into the third tier could be exactly what he needs in order to establish himself fully at the senior level.
He may struggle to establish himself, to begin with, but a run of games that will get him used to the league should be enough for Sousa to truly showcase the ability he has shown during his youth academy days with the Gunners