Exclusive: Smith reacts to major offer for ace who's scored 29 Aston Villa goals

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Published on:

28 Sep 2019, 12:30 pm

Aston Villa have rejected a £7million offer from Al-Gharafa for Jonathan Kodjia and will not let him leave this month, Football Insider can reveal.

The Qatari club have targeted a proven striker before the window shuts on Monday night and have made moves for Kodjia and Everton's Cenk Tosun.

A Villa source has told Football Insider that Dean Smith has refused to let Kodjia go and the player will remain at Villa Park before the transfer cut-off in two days.

This comes after Football Insider revealed the interest in the 29-year-old from the Middle East outfit, who are managed by ex-Fulham and Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic.

Kodjia has had just 16 minutes of action this season, partly due to injury and also Wesley Moraes assuming the first choice spearhead mantle.

The Ivory Coast international is on the comeback trail after fracturing his cheekbone in an accidental training-ground collision.

Smith does not want to lose Kodjia, as he regards him as a key squad player and would not be able to replace him until the January window.

The forward played a key role in Villa's promotion-winning campaign, scoring nine goals and providing four assists from 43 matches in all competitions.

He also has an impressive record for Villa since joining from Bristol City in 206, with his 98 appearances yielding 29 goals.

Kodjia has entered the last year of his contract, which expires next June.

In other Aston Villa news, it can be REVEALED that the club have set their sights on a £20million-plus January signing.

Aston Villa