Aston Villa are eyeing a summer move for a “sensational” forward, with his club now open to a sale.
Villa eyeing new forward to rival Watkins and Rogers
Villa have achieved their goal of qualifying for the Champions League with one game to spare, booking their place in Europe’s elite competition with a 4-2 victory against Liverpool last Friday night.
That is despite Ollie Watkins being inconsistent at times, with the striker scoring just one goal in his opening 13 Premier League matches this season, but he has since returned to form, and now leads the way in terms of goals and assists.
Ranking
Aston Villa combined goals and assists
Number
1.
Ollie Watkins
17
2.
Morgan Rogers
16
3.
John McGinn
9
4.
Emiliano Buendia
8
5.
Matty Cash
6
5.
Lucas Digne
6
As shown, Watkins and Rogers are some way ahead of the rest of the squad, which means they could be very difficult to replace, and there have been suggestions the two England internationals could move elsewhere this summer.
Manchester United are particularly keen on signing Rogers, but there is a feeling it could take £80m to get a deal over the line, underlining his importance to Unai Emery.
The hope will be the Villans’ return to the Champions League could help persuade both players to stay, but a new forward has been identified as a target ahead of the summer transfer window.
La Liga star now in Villa’s sights
According to a report from Sport (via Sport Witness), Aston Villa are now very keen on signing Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli, and the Spanish side have accepted they will be forced to cash-in this summer, with a transfer fee of €40m (£35m) being touted.
Newcastle United are also in the race for the former Barcelona man, but he isn’t fully sold on a move to the Premier League yet despite ‘offers’ coming in – it is not clear which suitors have actually submitted bids.
Emery is known to be an admirer of the winger, who has amassed more goals and assists in La Liga (18) than any Villa player has managed in the Premier League.
Hailed as “sensational” by journalist Thierry Nyann, the Moroccan has a whopping 27 goals and assists to his name in all competitions, and Villa could perhaps do with signing a prolific forward, given just how much they’ve relied on Watkins and Rogers in the Premier League.
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