'Aston Villa plot move to sign new right-back' after Matty Cash 'concerns'
Aston Villa are plotting a move to sign a new first-choice right-back in the summer transfer window, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Unai Emery still sees the position as a priority for their recruitment department.
This is despite the January arrival of 22-year-old Andres Garcia, as doubts have lingered about the long-term future of Matty Cash at Villa Park.
Brown told Football Insider in October that Villa staff have concerns about Cash which have lingered since before his £14million arrival from Nottingham Forest in 2020.
The 27-year-old has featured 28 times so far this season, but has suffered with multiple knocks and injuries which have led to further concerns about his fitness.
He has started just two of their last eight Premier League games and the arrival of a new right-back could see him forced further down the pecking order.
Aston Villa plot move to sign Matty Cash replacement
Brown told Football Insider in December that Villa want to sign a new right-back before the arrival of Garcia - but the position remains a target ahead of the summer window.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after spending over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Emery wants two strong options for the role.
"Unai Emery wants a new right-back in the summer," he told Football Insider.
"It's a position they've been looking to improve in for a while.
"I don't think they've ever really looked solid there - I think the same thing about left-back but with Digne and Maatsen they've got plenty of depth.
"On the right, they're still not convinced about Matty Cash.
"He's had a few injury issues this season and has been in and out of the side, but I think we spoke before about the doubts they have got.
"Emery will want to have two solid options in that position - at the moment, they've got one.
"So that's definitely going to be something they look at when the season is over."
Unai Emery plots ambitious Ousmane Diomande signing
Alongside the addition of a new full-back this summer, Emery is also looking to strengthen his back line with the addition of a new centre-back.
Football Insider revealed on 6 April that Villa want to sign Sporting CP's Ousmane Diomande in an ambitious deal which could be worth £50million.
This comes as Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City have all been keeping a close eye on Diomande’s performances over the last couple of seasons.
If they can secure Champions League qualification for next season, Emery is likely to demand the board back him heavily in the transfer market as part of his ambitious plans.
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