Aston Villa want exit-bound Toulouse midfielder Branco van den Boomen
Aston Villa are interested in signing exit-bound Toulouse midfielder Branco van den Boomen, according to The Guardian’s Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian journalist has revealed (via Twitter, 5 May) that van den Broom has decided not to sign a new deal with the Ligue 1 side as he wants to keep his options open.
It’s believed Villa along with Leeds United are showing Premier League interest in the 27-year-old Dutchman, who has scored six goals and registered 13 assists during the 2022/23 season.
His five assists and one goal in the Coupe de France helped Toulouse to a famous domestic triumph after a 5-1 win over Nantes in the final.
The 27-year-old has made a name for himself from set-pieces, with nine of his 13 assists during the 2022/23 season coming from free-kicks or corners. Furthermore, he managed to score a brilliant free-kick against PSG during Toulouse’s 2-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes.
His free-kick prowess even led GFFN to ask (10 February) whether the 27-year-old is “Europe’s best” free-kick taker. Furthermore, the Dutchman is an expert from the penalty spot, with four spot-kicks dispatched during the 2022/23 season (Wyscout).
With Philippe Coutinho’s future at Aston Villa somewhat up in the air, another attacking midfielder who can provide quality from dead-ball situations could well be required for Unai Emery.
The Dutchman likes to drift from flank to flank but has produced the majority of his crosses from the right-hand side. He averages two crosses per 90 minutes, with an accuracy of just over 40 per cent. Furthermore, he also attempts two shots and two dribbles per match.
To put van den Boomen’s crossing accuracy into perspective, Coutinho has managed a 21 per cent accuracy during the 2022/23 season, Leon Bailey 30 per cent and Jacob Ramsey 15 per cent.
With Ollie Watkins in fine goalscoring form and the likes of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in the side, the 27-year-old could thrive if he does complete a move to Villa Park.
His quality deliveries from free kicks could see the Dutchman rack up a pretty impressive tally of assists in the Premier League. This could well be an astute piece of business, particularly on a free transfer for the Villans.
In other Aston Villa news, a Villa sensation could miss up to nine months of action and faces the threat of a potential ACL tear as well.