Aston Villa make first move for Bournemouth striker Wilson
Bournemouth have rejected Aston Villa's opening offer for sought after striker Callum Wilson, claims The Guardian.
Wilson is free to leave Bournemouth this summer after the Cherries were relegated from the Premier League last season.
Newcastle are keen on the England international but it has now emerged Villa have made the first move for the 28-year-old.
Dean Smith's side have seen their opening offer of £15m plus £5m in add-ons turned down as Bournemouth want £17m up front.
The Villa head coach has made signing a new striker a top priority following Matty Cash's arrival from Nottingham Forest on Thursday.
🏴 Callum Wilson is one of only 5 Englishmen to have a direct hand in 40+ goals over the past three PL seasons, along with Sterling, Kane, Vardy and Rashford
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 4, 2020
🍒 Bournemouth finished 12th, 14th and 18th in that time
💼 #AVFC are now favourites to sign the England international pic.twitter.com/xvK5gbnISs
Villa's strikers struggled for goals last season and it almost cost them their place in the Premier League.
Villa have been heavily linked with a move for Brentford star Ollie Watkins but have grown disillusioned by his spiralling price tag.
Wilson is one of only five Englishmen to have a direct hand in 40+ goals over the past three Premier League campaigns, along with Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Rashford.
All the more impressive when you consider Bournemouth finished 12th, 14th and 18th in that time.
