Aston Villa outcast Morgan Sanson set to join Strasbourg on loan – report
Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson is set to complete a loan switch to Strasbourg until the end of the season, according to L’Equipe.
The 28-year-old has struggled to adjust to life at Villa Park following his £14million move from Marseille in 2021, making just three starts last season and two appearances from the bench this term.
The French midfielder has spent large spells on the sidelines due to a combination of mistimed injuries and increased competition for places – with the signing of Boubacar Kamara in the summer signalling the club’s lack of trust in him.
The L’Equipe report states that the Ligue 1 side have “obtained a loan until the end of the season”, and Sanson will “arrive in Alsace on Monday” (23 January) ahead of his move.
There is no mention if Strasbourg will be given the option to buy Sanson at the end of the season, with the player contracted at Villa Park until the summer of 2025.
About time
The loan move of Sanson makes perfect sense for both parties.
Sanson has only made 23 appearances in claret and blue since his transfer in 2021 and has seen his pedigree fall dramatically after previously featuring in the Champions League. A chance to move back to his homeland could reignite his career and help him force his way into Unai Emery’s plans at Villa.
For Villa, there is no point in having an unhappy player around the squad for the rest of the season, and a loan move away is a good piece of business.
After forking out £14million on him, Villa will hope to see Sanson return to form so they can get even the slightest value for their money in the future. If he were to impress at the Ligue 1 outfit, a potential option to buy the midfielder at the end of the season wouldn’t be off the cards and must be considered.
With Emery linked with Matteo Guendouzi this window [L’Equipe, 20 January] and with Kamara, Douglas Luiz and John McGinn also within his midfield reserves, it seems unlikely Sanson will ever find regular minutes at Villa Park.
In other Aston Villa news, a 17-year-old academy prospect has signed his first professional contract with the club.