Aston Villa transfer news: Emery gives green light to stunning signing of former Prem superstar to make most of January backing

Unai Emery could oversee a massive January transfer window with his new club Aston Villa, who are now being linked with a swoop for Eden Hazard.

After replacing Steven Gerrard as Aston Villa manager, Emery is about to get to work with his new squad. As things stand, the club sit 16th in the Premier League table. After spending big over the past couple of summers, they should be aiming higher.

To get there, they are prepared to back their new boss with another spending spree. There have already been some suggestions as to whom Emery could pursue.

For example, he might want to reunite with Villarreal winger Nicolas Jackson. But another wide man who might be on his radar – and might attract more attention – is Hazard.

According to Defensa Central, Aston Villa have joined the race for the former Chelsea superstar. Hazard’s time with Real Madrid has not gone to plan, so he could retrace his steps by leaving La Liga for the Premier League.

A return to Chelsea will not be happening. However, there are other clubs in England who could be willing to give Hazard a chance at reviving his career.

Defensa Central has named Aston Villa as one of them, before revealing that Emery has given his approval to the potential pursuit.

Despite Hazard’s decline in form over recent years, Real Madrid still expect to receive a reasonable transfer fee. It is almost certain they won’t be matching what they paid Chelsea back in 2019, though.

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For now, Hazard will be focusing on his commitments with Belgium at the World Cup. It could be a good time to remind everyone what he is capable of on his day.

After the tournament in Qatar concludes, the idea of him leaving Real Madrid will come back into focus. His contract at the Bernabeu is due to expire in 2024, but Defensa Central says he is “destined” to leave the capital club.

Aston Villa could be his takers if they deem his signing worthwhile. There may be some concerns about what has happened since he left Chelsea, but also a glimmer of hope that he may be better back in the Premier League.

Earlier this year, they backed Gerrard by signing former Liverpool star and Barcelona flop Philippe Coutinho. The addition of Hazard would follow a similar theme.

Coutinho started fairly well for Aston Villa, but his form has tailed off. They would have to hope for more consistency from Hazard if he was to arrive at Villa Park.

But there is an element of risk with any signing, so Hazard should not necessarily be written off.

As things stand, it may be best waiting until any sources closer to home verify Aston Villa’s interest in Hazard before they can really start to think about how he would fit in.

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