Aston Villa
Premier League • England
Aston Villa enigma pushing for January exit with likeliest next club named, as ‘situation of failure’ prompts player’s desperate ploy
An Aston Villa star is so desperate to leave this month he’s prepared to take a pay-cut, and a report claims ‘several’ contacts have been made while also naming his likeliest next club.
Morgan Sanson’s stint at Villa Park has been an altogether curious one. The Frenchman, now 28, arrived for an initial fee of £14m back in the winter window of 2021.
Sanson was an all-action box-to-box midfielder at previous club Marseille and was expected to provide Villa’s midfield with a new dynamic.
However, injuries have ravaged his time in England, though even when fit, Sanson has rarely been favoured by Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard or Unai Emery.
Indeed, Sanson has just 21 appearances for Villa in two years with the club. His situation has reached a new low this season, with just a single minute of Premier League action to his name.
Sanson has been an unused substitute on no fewer than 10 occasions in the league this year. Clearly, a change of scenery would be beneficial.
Now, French outlet L’Equipe report that’s exactly what could transpire, with a return to Ligue 1 taking shape.
Sanson desperate for France return
They claim several clubs have been in contact over a move, but one side in particular have taken the initiative – Nantes.
Nantes are eager to strengthen their midfield and their manager, Antoine Kombouaré, would ‘greatly appreciate’ the addition of Sanson.
Sanson’s predicament at Villa Park is deemed a ‘situation of failure’. In other words, the move simply hasn’t worked out and the player seemingly feels that way too.
Indeed, it’s claimed the midfielder ‘would be prepared to take a financial effort’ to help make the move a reality. In essence, that means he’s willing to take a pay-cut if it means leaving Villa for Nantes.
That may be a requirement given it’s noted Nantes will struggle to pay Sanson’s current salary at Villa.
If Emery can recoup a fee to put towards his own January moves, there appears little reason why Villa wouldn’t agree to a sale – once Nantes table an official bid, of course.