Aston Villa have stepped up their search for another attacking addition this summer, with NSWE making an enquiry for a £30m winger for Unai Emery.
Villa have already enjoyed one of the busiest transfer windows in England, backing Emery by completing a club-record deal for Johan Manzambi, while also strengthening their frontline with the arrival of Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea.
|
Aston Villa’s arrivals and departures |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Johan Manzambi |
In (Freiburg) |
£52m |
|
Joeo Gomes |
In (Wolves) |
£35m |
|
Alejandro Garnacho |
In (Chelsea) |
Loan |
|
Modou Keba |
In (LASK) |
£4m |
|
Morgan Rogers |
Out (Chelsea) |
£117m |
|
Youri Tielemans |
Out (Man Utd) |
£35m |
|
Donyell Malen |
Out (Roma) |
£21m |
|
Enzo Barrenechea |
Out (Benfica) |
£10m |
|
Lewis Dobbin |
Out (Southampton) |
£9m |
|
Andres Garcia |
Out (Getafe) |
Loan |
|
Oliwier Zych |
Out (Vitoria Guimaraes) |
Loan |
|
Joe Gauci |
Out (Lincoln City) |
Loan |
Midfield has also been reinforced through the signing of Joao Gomes, while highly-rated youngster Modou Kéba has added further depth and long-term potential.
Despite those additions, Villa appear to still be keen on recruiting another wide attacker after parting ways with Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen.
The player in question is Marseille’s Igor Paixao, who has already been attracting Premier League through Leeds United. However, it appears as if Villa have asked for their own information over a deal.
Aston Villa make Igor Paixao enquiry
According to L’Equipe, relayed by Yahoo Sports, Villa have made an approach over a move for the Marseille man.
Marseille, should they sell, would want to recoup the €35m (£30m) they spent on the Brazilian, however, the French club don’t appear to be under any immediate pressure to sell with Paixao still having four years left on his contract.
It is easy to understand why Villa, NSWE and Emery appear to be keen on Paixao, though. He enjoyed an impressive first season after moving to France from Feyenoord, adapting to Ligue 1 and becoming one of the club’s most influential attacking players.
Across all competitions, he made 42 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists, while also impressing in the Champions League with four goals and one assist in eight matches.
Football scout Jacek Kulig previously described Paixao as “explosive“, highlighting the Brazilian’s acceleration, dribbling ability and direct style.
Those attributes could make him an ideal fit at Villa Park. Comfortable playing on either wing, Paixao thrives in one-v-one situations and regularly attacks defenders with pace and confidence. He also possesses the work rate Emery demands from his wide players, making him a natural fit for Villa’s high-intensity pressing game.
His ability to both score and create goals could also ease some of the attacking burden on striker Ollie Watkins and new additions Garnacho and Mazambi.
Competition from Leeds means Villa may need to move quickly if they want to secure a deal, but after already making an approach, a formal offer could be next step to take for those at Villa Park.
