Aston Villa eye Nadiem Amiri as new £8m transfer development shared
Aston Villa sent scouts to Mainz to monitor midfielder Nadiem Amiri against Borussia Dortmund, Christian Falk reports.
According to the German journalist via X [27 November], Amiri is among the possible transfer targets at Villa Park, with Mainz open to offers of around £8million.
Since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, the 28-year-old has notched four goals and two assists in 12 appearances across all competitions for Mainz.
Aston Villa planning to add a midfielder in January
Unai Emery is not prepared to rest on his laurels at Aston Villa as he attempts to recruit a new midfielder ahead of the January transfer window after Amadou Onana sustained a fresh injury setback on international duty with Belgium.
Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley have operated in the midfield pivot in the Belgian’s absence, but with John McGinn tasked with operating on the flanks this season, the pair remain the only available options in central midfield.
Therefore, the Spaniard is taking a proactive approach to the situation and is exploring his options with Amiri, the latest on a long line of names linked with a move to Villa Park.
The former Germany international is an exciting prospect for Villa; while he was deemed surplus to requirements by Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen, he did make 16 appearances in the second half of the season in an invincible Bundesliga campaign.
However, there are perhaps more desirable options in the winter transfer market for Aston Villa to explore – scouts have been spotted running the rule over Sporting CP man Pedro Goncalves, who is enjoying another stellar year in Portugal.
Caught Offside reports [16 November] that the Villans are preparing a “significant” bid to make Athletic Bilbao midfielder Oihan Sancet the next statement signing in Birmingham.
Regardless of who Aston Villa decide to pursue in January, the supporters can be relieved that their side is willing to strengthen ahead of a potential knockout stage berth in the Champions League.
In other Aston Villa news, Semih Kilicsoy makes a £15m+ transfer decision amid Villa speculation.
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