Aston Villa are reportedly still interested in securing the services of former Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli in the upcoming January transfer window.
According to a report from Football Transfers, Premier League club Aston Villa are keen on having Abde Ezzalzouli in their ranks and have identified the 21-year-old as their priority transfer target.
Ezzalzouli joined Barcelona in the summer of 2021 after the club paid Hercules a €2 million release clause; however, he only caught the eye during his loan spell at Osasuna last season, where he scored six goals and picked up a couple of assists in 34 appearances for the Spanish club in the previous campaign across all competitions.
The Moroccan sensation also helped Los Rojillos reach the Copa del Rey final for the first time, which they lost to Real Madrid. Barca manager Xavi Hernandez had worked to keep Abde following his return to Catalonia, but he couldn’t guarantee the 21-year-old the regular game-time that he desired following Joao Felix’s loan arrival and the emergence of budding superstar Lamine Yamal.
Aston Villa were among the clubs interested in landing his signature and even agreed personal terms with the youngster during the previous transfer window, but a difference in valuation with Barcelona saw Abde secure a permanent move to Betis on the deadline day instead.
Unai Emery is still thought to be keen on bringing the Morocco international to Villa Park and has earmarked him as one of his main targets next month as they look to build on a tremendous start to the season for the high-flying Lions.
It would be great business for Villa to bring in a highly-rated player with lots of potential and a high ceiling like Ezzalzouli. Not only would he improve the attacking depth now, but he would also grow into a top player for the future.
That said, it’s understood that potential roadblocks may arise for Emery from the Real Betis hierarchy as a result of a dispute with Villa’s sporting director Monchi while he was at his former post in Seville. Abde’s contract is up at Benito Villamarin Stadium in 2028 after he signed for Betis from Barcelona in a €7.5 million deal over the summer.
It also comes with two big clauses, with Barcelona holding the right to buy back the player at a future date, and they also hold 50% of his rights, which means that Los Verdiblancos would almost certainly demand a hefty fee for their asset given that they would be entitled to give half of it to the Blaugrana.
With all that in mind, Ezzalzouli is definitely a player for Villa fans to keep an eye on as we head towards the January transfer window.
