Agbonlahor: Aston Villa told to make El Ghazi U-turn after Smith reveal
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Aston Villa should not look to sell Anwar El Ghazi this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Villa's record Premier League goalscorer claimed Dean Smith would be short on wingers without El Ghazi.
Football Insider revealed on 25 July Roma have launched a bid to sign the 26-year-old on a permanent deal and Smith is willing to listen to offers.
This site then learned on 28 July Villa are willing to sell the Dutchman for £15million.
The Serie A club could open the bidding at £12million for a player Jose Mourinho is a fan of.
He scored 11 goals in 31 games across all competitions last season, including four in his last seven Premier League apperances.
And Agbonlahor has claimed Smith will want to keep working with him to help him reach a consistent level of performance.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “I think El Ghazi has done well, he had some great performances last season and I think he is a threat.
“I don’t think he’s one that you want to get rid of.
“Trezeguet’s out for a while, you want competition for places, you want a healthy squad. Dean Smith will not want to lose any of his wingers.
“That would leave you with Traore, Trezeguet, Grealish and Bailey. I just don’t think that’s something that Dean Smith will want to do, he’ll want to keep him.
“On his day, when he’s confident, he can be a real menace and a real good player. Sometimes he isn’t consistent, Dean Smith will want to try and get that into him.”
El Ghazi has now scored 23 goals and provided 13 assists in 107 games for Aston Villa.
His current contract is set to expire in the summer of 2023.