Aston Villa fans will ‘love’ Unai Emery’s latest signing – ‘All my contacts have said he’s great’
Unai Emery may have unearthed a new gem who can aid Aston Villa’s Premier League title hopes.
That is according to ex-Aston Villa, Everton, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, after Brazilian winger Alysson was announced as the club’s newest addition.
Aston Villa have agreed a deal to sign Alysson from Gremio for £10million, with the 19-year-old joining when the January transfer window opens.
Alysson has only ever played for Gremio, scoring one goal and contributing two assists in 39 senior appearances for the club.
Alysson a ‘great’ signing for Aston Villa
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – has only heard positive things about Alysson from his contacts.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks it’s an “exciting move” for Aston Villa.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “He’s a tricky little Brazilian winger. The crowd always loves something like that. A young, talented Brazilian winger. Look, he is a talent from all I’ve heard. All my contacts have said, yes, he’s a great one.
“I think about £10m is the sort of money, which these days, as you say, is not really a big amount. And Villa, with the PSR issues, will be shopping in that marketplace. But I think that’s somebody that could end up being worth more.
“Football history is littered with young Brazilian talents that were all going to be worth a fortune and never quite made it because of the cultural transition. So a lot will have to be examined about how he will settle in the UK, what’s he like mentally, his whole attitude.
“Those sort of things become very, very important. But there’s no doubt he’s got raw talent. I looked at some videos, and he’s very exciting, and think Villa fans would love him.
“And I think Unai Emery would probably be the right manager to handle a young, explosive talent like that. So I think it’s a very exciting move.”
Two stars could leave Aston Villa in January
The signing of Alysson is important given Harvey Elliott’s uncertain future at Aston Villa, with the 22-year-old potentially returning to Liverpool in January.
Aston Villa could also offload Jadon Sancho, with the 25-year-old having primarily been used off the bench by Emery since his arrival on loan from Man United.
There could be more departures than incomings at Villa Park due to the clubs need to comply with PSR rules.