Aston Villa told two reasons why signing confirmed Liverpool target would be disastrous in brutal put down
A Liverpool player Aston Villa are considering signing this summer would not start at Villa Park, with an outspoken observer citing two reasons why a move makes no sense.
No fewer than 10 players have been cited as potentially being in line to leave Anfield this summer. Among them are four stars whose exits have either already been confirmed, or go without saying.
Indeed, Arthur Melo’s loan will conclude and the option to buy in his loan deal will not be triggered.
Liverpool have confirmed Roberto Firmino will bring his eight-year stint with the Reds to a close. He’ll leave as a free agent, as will midfield pair Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Keita is understood to have been offered to AC Milan. Alternatively, he remains highly rated in Germany through his prior spell at RB Leipzig and a return to the Bundesliga could await.
For Oxlade-Chamberlain, a stay within the Premier League is looking likely.
The Daily Mail previously reported Newcastle, Brighton and Aston Villa were all showing interest in what could be a canny free agent coup.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 29, will bring with him a wealth of experience and if he can overcome his injury issues he may prove a worthy investment.
What’s more, the fact he’ll not cost a transfer fee makes him a relatively risk-free option.
Romano later dismissed Newcastle as a viable destination, though confirmed two English clubs – presumably Villa and Brighton – are interested.
However, according to former Villa winger Gabby Agbonlahor, Unai Emery’s side should steer well clear of Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Aston Villa must “aim higher” than Liverpool cast-off
Explaining why, Agbonlahor claimed Oxlade-Chamberlain’s inability to stay fit is a major red flag.
The second issue, per the pundit, is the fact that in his mind, Oxlade-Chamberlain simply isn’t the player he once was anyway.
“No,” said Agbonlahor when asked by Football Insider if Villa should greenlight the move.
“I don’t see it happening. Why would Villa go out and sign a player with bad injury problems?
“Chamberlain has been a good player, he’s had an outstanding career – but I just don’t see why you would sign him when you aspire to break into the European places.
“Watching him, it’s clear that he’s no longer the same player he was. Aston Villa have got to aim higher. He doesn’t start in this current Villa team.
“They’ve got to look for better quality. We’ve already got a good squad, so any players you bring in have to be starters.
“To break into the top seven, you’re not going to do that with Chamberlain in the side.”
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