Ex-Everton forward says yes to Aston Villa with talks on, as Emery waves goodbye to forgotten man in confirmed exit
Aston Villa are in talks to sign a former Everton forward who’s open to joining, while Unai Emery’s side have officially confirmed a forgotten man has left for an ‘undisclosed fee’.
Villa sprang into life in the winter window over the past seven days, confirming the arrivals of Alex Moreno and more recently, Jhon Duran.
Left-back Moreno made his Villa debut during the 2-1 victory over Leeds Utd last Friday and showed up at both ends of the pitch. Aside from looking typically threatening going forward, he also made a vital goal-line clearance with his knees.
Duran, meanwhile, put pen to paper on a £14.7m move from MLS side Chicago Fire. The Colombian will bolster Emery’s attacking options, though the Spanish boss isn’t content to rest there.
Indeed, Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb report Aston Villa are in talks to sign former Everton winger, Gerard Deulofeu.
The 28-year-old also played for Watford during his time in England and has extensive Premier League experience. He currently plies his trade in Serie A with Udinese, though maybe not for much longer.
Emery calls for Deulofeu reunion
The outlet state Emery has asked for more attacking reinforcements and is targeting a reunion with his fellow Spaniard. Emery managed Deulofeu during their time together at Sevilla in the 2014-15 campaign.
Talks have reportedly opened, though it’s not clarified whether that’s between Villa and the player’s camp, or between Villa and Udinese.
In any case, a move looks there for the making if common ground can be found. That’s because Deulofeu is understood to be open to reuniting with Emery at Villa Park.
BirminghamLive add their take to the story, stating Udinese are believed to value Deulofeu around the £22m mark.
The former Toffee has been bright throughout his entire stint in Italy. He’s bagged 18 goals and 14 assists in 68 matches for the club.
10 of those goal contributions have come this season, with Deulofeu showcasing his versatility having played primarily up front in a 3-5-2 formation.
Aston Villa confirm defender exit
Elsewhere, Aston Villa have confirmed the departure of forgotten right-back, Frederic Guilbert.
The 28-year-old Frenchman joined the club in the winter window of 2019. However, despite featuring regularly in the remainder of that campaign, he’s not made a single Premier League appearance since.
Two loan spells at Ligue 1 side Strasbourg followed, and Villa have now confirmed a permanent move back to France has crossed the line.
A club statement read: “Aston Villa can confirm Frederic Guilbert has completed a permanent transfer to RC Strasbourg for an undisclosed fee.
“The full-back joined Villa in January 2019 from Caen and would go on to make 31 appearances in claret and blue, the last of which came in August 2021 in an EFL Cup tie at Barrow.
“He will return to his native France and the club with whom he spent last season on loan.
“Aston Villa Football Club would like to thank Frederic for his efforts while at the club and wish him all the best in his future career.”
Villa clearly state Guilbert has moved for an “undisclosed fee”, which is in contrast to Fabrizio Romano’s claim the defender has left on a “free transfer”.
In any case, if Villa have received a fee as they claim, it’s unlikely to be a large one.
