Aston Villa have reportedly joined the race to sign Bristol City starlet, Reuben McAllister, with manager Steven Gerrard looking to hoover up the best young British talent going.

What's the word?

As per The Sun, the Midlands side are now in the mix to land the 16-year-old wonderkid from Ashton Gate this summer, with the club believed to be keeping tabs on a player who has enjoyed 'rapid progress' through the Robins' youth set-up.

The attacking midfielder - son of former Scotland international Jamie McAllister - is also coveted by fellow Premier League side Newcastle United, as per the report, with Old Firm rivals Rangers and Celtic also vying for the youngster's signature.

This comes after the news that the Villa Park outfit have agreed a deal to sign Ibrox gem Rory Wilson, with the striker - who is also 16 - believed to be on his way to England in a £350k move, having scored 49 goals at youth level last term.

Grealish 2.0

A deal for McAllister may not have much bearing on the club's performances next season, with it unlikely that he would be thrust straight into first-team action any time soon, although it would see the Villans add yet another exciting wonderkid to a youth system that is already brimming with quality.

The most recent campaign has seen the likes of Jacob Ramsey, Carney Chukwuemeka and Tim Iroegbunam all feature at senior level having risen through the academy ranks, while 20-year-old forward Cameron Archer is also attracting attention following his impressive six-month loan stint at Preston North End.

Arguably the most talented and successful youth product that the club has nurtured in recent years - and someone that the Bristol ace will be looking to emulate - is Jack Grealish, with the Englishman having risen from boyhood fan to eventual club captain, dragging his beloved club to promotion to the Premier League in 2019.

The £63m-rated gem had registered vital final day strike to help keep Dean Smith's side in the division.

The 2020/21 campaign saw the 23-cap gem assume an even greater, talismanic role, as he chipped in with six goals and ten assists to ensure a comfortable mid-table finish for his side, with only a lengthy injury absence denying Villa a shot at European qualification.

Having since secured a £100m switch to Manchester City - where he has already claimed the Premier League title - the task now is to find his heir apparent, with McAllister potentially the player to fill that void in the coming years.

The playmaker is something of an unknown quantity to most although clearly possesses a heap of talent, having been handed his U23s debut at Bristol back in October at the age of just 15 - a clear sign of just how highly rated he is.

Who knows, he could be pulling the strings in the Villa side in the near future, as the aforementioned Grealish did so successfully.

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