Aston Villa are reportedly interested in bringing former Everton and Watford star Gerard Deulofeu back to the Premier League as new boss Unai Emery eyes attacking reinforcements.
According to 90min, Aston Villa are reportedly keen on signing former Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu from Serie A outfit Udinese this January transfer window as they look to bolster the wide options at new boss Unai Emery’s disposal.
Meanwhile, French outlet Foot Mercato has gone a step further and reported that the Lions have even enquired about Deulofeu, as the Spanish forward is a player that Emery likes and wants to bring to Villa Park.
The forthcoming January transfer window promises to be a busy one for Villa, as it will be Emery’s first opportunity to shape and build the current squad to his liking. He has had some time to assess the group and identify the areas in urgent need of bolstering.
One of the positions Villa are eager to reinforce is out wide, which can even be guessed given their recent links to the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Samuel Chukwueze, and Arnaut Danjuma. The latest name on Emery’s radar is that of Barcelona academy graduate Gerard Deulofeu, who played under Emery at Sevilla during the 2014/15 season and has prior Premier League experience under his belt.
Deulofeu has been a bit of a journeyman throughout his career, having played for Watford, Everton, and AC Milan, and is now plying his trade for Udinese. The winger began his career in Barcelona’s youth ranks before making 12 competitive appearances for the club.
The 28-year-old then spent two seasons on loan with Sevilla and Everton. Deulofeu was finally signed on a permanent basis by Everton in 2015, only to be bought back two years later by Barcelona for double the fee they sold him for after he shone on loan at AC Milan.
Since then, however, Deulofeu has been unable to replicate the form that prompted Barcelona to want him back and was sold to Watford, who passed him to Serie A side Udinese.
But the 28-year-old returned to prominence last season, scoring an incredible 13 goals and laying on five assists from an attacking midfield position in 31 Serie A games. And he has continued his resurgence into this season, recording ten goal contributions in 17 games across all competitions, including seven assists.
AC Milan, Napoli and Tottenham were interested in signing him last summer, but Udinese demanded around €20 million and a move did not materialise.
He would be a sensible and achievable signing for Aston Villa given he is into the last 18 months of his current deal with Udinese. The Spanish international would be able to bolster the depth and add more creativity and technical quality to the Villa attack. If the club expects to climb up the ladder in Premier League ladder in the second half of the season, they must improve their squad next month.
