Aston Villa scout Nathan Zeze as new Nantes exit update emerges
Aston Villa have scouted Nantes defender Nathan Zeze ahead of the January transfer window, according to Graeme Bailey.
The journalist reported via TBR Football (25 October) that the Villans have been to watch the 19-year-old defender in action already this season, alongside a host of other Premier League sides.
Both Chelsea and Liverpool are understood to be interested in the teenager, with Wolves, Fulham and Nottingham Forest also keeping tabs as the January transfer window looms.
The Villans may step up their interest in Zeze if Tyrone Mings is unable to rediscover his best form having returned from injury to feature on the bench for the Champions League win over Bologna.
Are Aston Villa and Unai Emery close to any new transfers at Villa Park?
As they were last season, Villa have been excellent defensively so far this term with the likes of Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa and Diego Carlos picking up exactly where they left off last season.
But with the fixtures coming thick and fast, especially with the prospect of qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Champions League becoming even more likely, some further strength in depth can never be a bad thing.
Zeze is unlikely to step straight into the fold if he were to make the move to Villa Park, but at just 19, he could prove to be an excellent long-term addition to Emery’s ranks as they look to kick on over the next few years.
If Villa want to take that next step to establish themselves as a club that consistently qualifies for the Champions League season in and season out, they are going to need to start shopping in the same pool as teams like Chelsea and Liverpool.
Whether or not Unai Emery’s side have the financial power to beat some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs to the teenager’s signature remains unclear, but it is good to see them at least consider a move.
In other Aston Villa news, Ferran Torres’ stance on a January move to Villa Park from Barcelona has emerged
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