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Aston Villa told to U-turn on Traore decision and sell 26-year-old instead - Phillips
Aston Villa should sell Anwar El Ghazi instead of Bertrand Traore in the January transfer window, according to Kevin Phillips.
The former Claret and Blue, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed El Ghazi, 26, should be sacrificed if exits are needed before incomings next year.
This site revealed on 23 November that Steven Gerrard has given the green light for Traore to be sold in January.
The club will subsequently listen to offers for the super-quick winger when the transfer window opens.
Traore has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at Villa Park.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of the news, Phillips said: “Ultimately, there will be some players moving on next year.
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“Traore has not been there long though. You’d think the players that have been there a while might be more likely to leave, El Ghazi being one of them.
” The owners are very wealthy but it is not a bottomless pit of money. The sensible thing would be to try and offload players to free up room on the wage bill. That may be what is needed.
“El Ghazi is the one that stands out the most for me. He has not played a lot. It would make more sense if El Ghazi left over Traore, in my opinion.”
El Ghazi has made 10 appearances for Steven Gerrard’s side this season.
He has just over 18 months left on his contract at Villa Park.
In other news, it can be revealed Steven Gerrard is lining up two ‘big-money’ Aston Villa signings in January.