Aston Villa boss Dean Smith could sign his club's new Paul Merson in Norwich City star Todd Cantwell.

What's the story?

Reports from The Telegraph last summer suggested that Smith's side were weighing up a potential move for the Canaries midfielder, but a deal failed to materialise before the end of the window.

And now, Football Insider claim that Villa are actually in advanced talks with Norwich over finally luring Cantwell to Villa Park, and that there is growing confidence a deal can be done.

Villa's new Merson

A profile done by Villa's official club website back in 2010 about five of the greatest midfielders to pull on a shirt, said of Merson: "On the pitch, he was a magician. Merson was brilliant with the ball at his feet and could do things others wouldn't even dream about.

"People asked questions of the £6.75m fee John Gregory paid for him in 1998 but it definitely proved to be money well spent as he won games and charmed fans. Even though he was obviously struggling away from the sanctity of Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath, his displays were incredible for the club.

"Never afraid to put his foot in, his main attributes, however, were skill and flair as he wowed supporters throughout his four year spell. His finest accolade at the club was undoubtedly winning Players and Supporters Player of the Year awards in 2000."

Described as someone with a "God-given" talent by his former youth team coach Gary Cockaday, Cantwell has that same natural ability that Merson was gifted with.

Former Norwich striker Dean Ashton raved about him, saying: "When I first saw him I said to Darren Huckerby, ‘how is that lad not training with the first-team?'. He was incredible. The way he was drifting past players. His speed of thought and his awareness. He’s just a wonderful player."

Last season saw Cantwell average an impressive 1.6 dribbles per game which ranked him joint-top among the rest of Norwich's squad (Emi Buendia being the other).

The attacking midfielder also features in the top three for Norwich for both key passes and shots per game in the Championship too, another indication of just how influential he is whenever he gets on the ball.

Like Merson, the £19.8m-rated Cantwell has got the ability to unlock defences with a bit of skill or trickery, and Smith should be all over a move this summer.

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