Aston Villa are now monitoring a speedy new forward target who once described Unai Emery as an “amazing football brain”, according to a report.
Villa weighing up attacking options
Villa were extremely busy in the January transfer window, with Emery particularly keen on bringing in new attackers as a result of Jhon Duran’s departure, and the manager will be pleased by the arrivals of Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen.
As things stand, however, Rashford will only remain at Villa Park until the end of the campaign, meaning Emery may have to bring in some new attacking options in the summer, and a number of targets have been identified.
The Villans have been named as one of the potential suitors for Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui, who has been in fantastic form this season, bagging 20 goals in the Serie A, the highest number of any player.
Related
Retegui is an out-and-out striker, who could be brought in to provide competition for Ollie Watkins, but Villa are also keen on signing a new winger, with a report revealing they are now monitoring AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze.
Chukwueze nearly joined Fulham in a deal worth around €30m (£25m) during the January transfer window, but the Cottagers ended up running out of time to discuss the complexities of the deal.
That opens the door for the Villans to make a move for Chukwueze in the summer, and he is a player Emery will know very well, having spent time working with him at Villarreal.
It is clear the ex-Villarreal man was a fan of working under his former manager, too, saying: “I enjoy playing under Unai Emery, He’s amazing, and so tactical in everything he does. He can push you to the limit, but he is a fantastic coach.
“He has an amazing football brain. He has amazed me how I have seen him change things from game to game.
“Fantastic” Chukwueze could shine under Emery
It would be fair to say the Nigerian has not set the world alight at Milan, with just seven goals and four assists in 59 outings, but he has previously proven himself to Emery.
The right-winger played a key role in Villarreal’s 2020-21 Europa League triumph, picking up one goal and four assists in 11 games, and he was regularly in and amongst the goals during his time in La Liga.
|
Season |
La Liga appearances |
Goals |
Assists |
|
2018-19 |
26 |
5 |
2 |
|
2019-20 |
37 |
3 |
5 |
|
2020-21 |
28 |
4 |
3 |
|
2021-22 |
27 |
3 |
3 |
|
2022-23 |
37 |
6 |
5 |
Lauded as “fantastic” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, it is clear the forward has a lot of ability, but he could well be in need of a fresh start, having fallen down the pecking order at the San Siro this season.
Given how highly Chukwueze rates Emery from their time working together at Villarreal, a move to Villa Park could make perfect sense for all parties this summer.
