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Aston Villa loanee tipped for 'realistic' transfer route out of club by club's former boss
One of Aston Villa's loanees has been touted as a 'realistic' signing for his temporary club after cementing himself in their starting 11 this season.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden has been a bright spark in a Preston North End side that have experienced mixed fortunes this season, playing 17 of their 19 Championship fixtures so far.
The 22-year-old joined the Lilywhites on loan in the summer for his fifth loan away from the Villans and his third in the Championship. He has struggled to break into Unai Emery's plans whilst at Villa, only making five appearances in total for the Lions.
Former Preston manager Alex Neil, who was in charge of the club between 2017 and 2021, has stated that he believes Kesler-Hayden would be a realistic acquisition for North End after his loan deal expires.
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Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Neil said regarding the Villa academy product and on loan teammate Sam Greenwood: "We are not talking about guys who are expected to go back to their respective clubs and break in.
"I would think that these two guys are much more realistic options, for Preston to keep them.
"“I don't know what the situation is with Preston in terms of Kesler-Hayden or Greenwood, but I would presume they should be two players who Preston could go and get - for me. Because, they have been about the block.
"But yeah, listen, the fact is that normally, when you are getting loan players - a bit like a Ben Doak for Middlesbrough - you get guys you couldn't normally afford."
Kesler-Hayden has been up against tough full back competition at Villa as he has become a senior pro, battling against the likes of Matty Cash and Ezri Konsa as well as Lucas Digne and Ian Maatsen on the opposite side.
He has a good reputation with the Villans, though, due to captaining the Under-18s side to a famous FA Youth Cup victory over Liverpool in 2020/21 alongside well-known academy products Aaron Ramsey, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lamare Bogarde and Louis Barry.
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