Unai Emery is long-term admirer of Nacho Fernandez, wants to bring him to Aston Villa – report
Spanish outlet Sport report that Unai Emery is keen on signing Real Madrid centre-back Nacho Fernandez for Aston Villa.
After making a strong start to life at Aston Villa, Emery is already focused on the January transfer window and has identified 32-year-old Fernandez as an ideal centre-back signing.
Emery previously tried to sign the Spaniard during his spell at Villarreal, and amid his game-time struggles at Madrid, he’s keen to bring him to Villa Park.
That’s according to Sport, who wrote: “An effective and profitable player who has been loved by several coaches such as Emery, who tried to take him to Villarreal.
“The Basque coach has not lost sight of him and he could return to the charge to take him to Aston Villa.”
Back the manager
If Emery has told the board that his target is Fernandez, then Villa should do whatever they can to get him his ideal players.
The Spaniard is trying to implement his style of play at Villa Park and will quickly become aware of which players are capable of fitting into his philosophy and which aren’t.
Emery clearly has been a long-term admirer of Fernandez, and if he’s falling out of favour at Real Madrid then there’s no better time to launch a bid.
Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings have been a long-term centre-back partnership for Villa, but Emery clearly wants to improve the backline with new signings.
Fernandez boasts priceless experience and is incredibly gifted technically. As Emery tries to encourage his side to be braver in possession, the Madrid stalwart could be a valuable asset.
In other Aston Villa news, Aston Villa must continue to be aggressive under Unai Emery