Aston Villa back in for transfer-listed Bundesliga winger
Aston Villa are set to reignite their interest in Werder Bremen winger Milot Rashica this summer, a report has claimed.
The Midlands club made a firm enquiry about Rashica’s services last year. Prior to this, he was a target for Liverpool. However, the 24-year-old rejected the Reds’ approach and opted to stay another season at Bremen in the Bundesliga.
A move away looked certain but didn’t materialise. But it was reported last month that Rashica will be on the move this summer as Bremen look to cash in before his contract expires in June 2022.
According to Football Insider, Villa are looking to sign two wide forwards in the summer transfer window. They report that Rashica is on the club’s shortlist of options.
The Kosovo international is a very versatile attacking player. He played mainly on the right wing for former club Vitesse Arnhem.
Since moving to Germany in 2018 for a fee in the region of £6m, however, he has primarily been deployed on the left wing or in the number 10 position behind the striker.
In his first two full seasons with Bremen he recorded an impressive 18 and 19 goal contributions respectively in all competitions.
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The current campaign hasn’t been as fruitful for him, though. He has made 19 Bundesliga appearances, registering two goals and five assists. Both of those goals have come in Bremen’s last two matches against RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.
Ironically, both of those clubs have also been linked with Rashica in the past. Dortmund considered a move whilst sweating over the future of Jadon Sancho, whilst Leipzig eyed him up as Timo Werner’s replacement.
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Watkins subject of Reds’ interest
Villa might have to consider central attacking options too this summer because Liverpool have reportedly registered initial interest in a transfer swoop for striker Ollie Watkins.
Watkins entered the radar of a number of top clubs following his Championship form for Brentford. However, Villa took the ambitious step of signing him for a club-record £28million in September.
He has enjoyed a successful debut season in the Premier League, scoring 12 goals and assisting three more.
The 25-year-old also recently earned his first England appearance, capping his debut with a goal.
As such, Watkins’ stock has risen significantly, with Football Insider now claiming that Liverpool have shown interest.
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