(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Rodrigo De Paul 'told to leave' as Emery ready for perfect Aston Villa transfer

Ian Darke

There's not much Ian Darke hasn't seen in football. The former Sky Sports and BT Sport commentator has one of the most recognisable voices in the English game. Nowadays he commentates on matches for Fox, ABC and ESPN in the USA and we're delighted to get his expert reaction to all the latest news.

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Aston Villa could sign Atletico Madrid star Rodrigo De Paul this summer.

The midfielder is reportedly available for a fee of just £21.3million and would be an ideal addition for Unai Emery.

Monchi and Emery will have to find value for money deals in the transfer market due to the Villans' perilous financial position, and the veteran would be a smart move, if they can pull it off.

Monchi
Monchi is under pressure this summer. (Credit: Imago)

Emery will love De Paul at Aston Villa

Aston Villa have been linked with De Paul as the Madrid-based side have told the Argentina ace that he is surplus to requirements.

FourFourTwo reported (25 June) that Villa have been given the green light to sign the World Cup winner alongside the likes of Galatasaray, Inter Milan and AC Milan.

Iconic commentator Ian Darke has revealed what Emery will think about a move for the 31-year-old midfield star.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: "They have told Rodrigo De Paul that he has to move on this summer because he is out of contract next summer.

"He is an established Argentine international, World Cup-winning player, loads of experience playing for Simeone, towards the top of La Liga, deep runs in the Champions League, pretty solid signing I would say at the right kind of price.

"He is worth that, I would say, you are getting quite a lot for your £21.3m, though, he is not the kind of player who is going to change the course of your season or have people on the edge of their seats.

"He is a very solid, experienced, I would almost say, gnarled operator in the middle of the field. He is one of the foot soldiers for Lionel Messi in the World Cup win, doing a lot of the work.

"I can imagine Unai Emery thinking you know, this is the kind of guy who is right up my street, he can work alongside Youri Tielemans, Tielemans will provide a bit more of the flair and maybe a goal or two more, and De Paul can sit in and do the hard yards."

Aston Villa Youri 1Tielemans
Tielemans would be the perfect partner for De Paul. (Credit: Imago)

Aston Villa should go all out for De Paul

The Argentine maestro played 53 matches last season, exactly the same amount as Tielemans, notching three goals and 10 assists.

Stats (All competitions)De Paul
Matches53
Goals3
Assists10
Minutes played3,485
De Paul's stats last season.

He would bring a different dimension to the engine room at Villa Park due to his tenacious and combative nature.

He would complement the Belgian really well, and the B6 outfit should do everything that they can to bring him in as it would help them to return to the Champions League.

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