ASTON VILLA are ready to kickstart another spending spree — after agreeing a £16million deal for Nottingham Forest full-back Matty Cash.
And Villa’s outlay could soon pass the £60m mark if boss Dean Smith can beat Newcastle to Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson and sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford.
Cash’s move from the City Ground — with £14m to be paid up front — is expected to be sealed within 24 hours when he passes a medical.
Cash, 23, was wanted by AC Milan in the January window after converting from a winger at Forest.
Villa had made an ambitious attempt to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid before beating Fulham and Sheffield United to sign Cash.
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Smith also has strike duo Wilson, 28, and Watkins, 24, in his sights.
But Smith faces competition for Wilson from ex-Villa boss Steve Bruce who is prepared to offer Toon winger Matt Ritchie in exchange.
Villa intend to make a straight cash offer.
Brentford are also playing hardball over Watkins and will want around £28m for the 24-year-old unless Villa can talk the price down.
Landing all three Englishmen would mean parting with around £60m — having splashed out £130m last summer and then survived in the Premier League by the skin of their teeth.
Villa replaced Jesus Garcia Pitarch as their sporting director with Danish talent spotter Johan Lange, with Smith given more influence on recruitment.
The Villa boss is also looking for goalkeeper, midfielder and a winger before Villa’s season gets under way on September 19.
But any interest in Manchester United stopper Sergio Romero is likely to stumble over the Argentinian’s wages.
