Aston Villa hold advantage over Tottenham in Malik Tillman transfer race
Bryan King believes Aston Villa are better placed to sign Malik Tillman from PSV Eindhoven than Tottenham.
The ex-Villa scout believes Unai Emery’s side would need to offer the 22-year-old assurances over his playing time in the West Midlands.
As reported by TBR Football [23 November], Villa and Tottenham are both interested in signing PSV Eindhoven midfielder Tillman. The American made his move to PSV permanent this summer after initially arriving on loan from Bayern Munich.
The Bundesliga giants have a £30million buy-back clause for Tillman, which PSV could seek from other clubs interested in signing the midfielder.
And King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – thinks Unai Emery’s side hold an advantage over Spurs in the race for Tillman.
“There is one thing you’ve got to do as a club when you’re buying a player of that calibre, you’ve got to give the player minutes,” King said.
“At this moment in time, if Tillman does leave PSV, he has more chance of playing first-team football at Villa than Tottenham.
“Tillman won’t want to come to the Premier League and be classed as a squad player who is going to play in every third game, he will want to play regular football. I’d imagine that is why he left Bayern Munich.”
Aston Villa to sign PSV Eindhoven midfielder Malik Tillman ahead of Tottenham?
Tillman is a talented player who would no doubt be an exciting, young addition to Emery’s squad at Villa Park.
After scoring nine goals and providing ten assists in PSV’s title-winning campaign last season, the former Bayern Munich player has already netted five times in just 13 league outings this season, with PSV once again top of the Eredivisie.
Therefore, it is clear to see why so many big clubs are chasing Tillman’s signature. However, considering the number of midfielders Spurs have on their books, Emery’s side might be better-positioned to offer Tillman a first-team place at the club.
In addition, they can also offer UEFA Champions League football should they make a move in January, something which Ange Postecoglou’s side are unable to offer.
However, keeping hold of Emery could also prove essential in the race for Tillman, with recent exit speculation emerging over the Villa boss.
In other Aston Villa news, the club want to sign a Manchester United player as an exit update emerges.
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