Smith delighted as Traore deal takes Villa spending close to £80m

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Bertrand Traore - pic via avfc.co.uk

Aston Villa have signed forward Bertrand Traore from Lyon for an undisclosed fee, widely reported to be £17m.

Burkina Faso international Traore began his senior career with Villa’s Premier League rivals Chelsea and has also had loan spells with Dutch clubs Vitesse and Ajax.

The 25-year-old boosts Villa’s attacking options further following the arrival of Ollie Watkins from Brentford for a club-record £28million earlier this month.

Details of Traore’s contract at Villa Park have not been announced by the club.

Dean Smith told Villa’s website: “We’re delighted that Bertrand has chosen to come to Villa.

“He’s a player with immense talent who will really enhance our attacking options.”

Villa escaped relegation on the final day of last season after winning promotion through the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.

The club have also recently signed goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Matty Cash. Those four deals have taken their total summer outlays to just short of the £80m mark.

Villa kick off their top-flight campaign at home to Sheffield United on Monday evening.

 

GREALISH REVEALS HOW CLOSE MAN UTD MOVE WAS

Jack Grealish has conceded it had been 50-50 he would remain at the club amid strong interest from Manchester United.

eden Mengi, Jack Grealish

Villa announced on Tuesday that their captain had signed a new five-year contract, also ending speculation over his future.United had long been linked with Grealish all summer but talk of a move to Old Trafford has been firmly put to bed.Much of that decision has been put down to Dean Smith’s ambitious transfer plans.

Speaking after helping Villa see off Burton 3-1 in the Carabao Cup, Grealish said a conversation with the club’s owner over the weekend convinced him to stay.

 

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Bertrand Traore Dean Smith