Sources: Roma open preliminary talks to sign Aston Villa star El Ghazi
Roma have opened preliminary talks to sign Aston Villa star Anwar El Ghazi in a late-window deal, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The wide forward, 26, has begun the season in sparkling form with three goals from three matches.
But a Villa source has told Football Insider that the club are preparing to offload El Ghazi after a blizzard of attacking signings.
Roma registered their interest in El Ghazi earlier in the window, as revealed by this site, and are lining up an offer around the £15million mark.
Villa are planning on cashing in as the wide man is set to slip down the pecking order when Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins are fit and firing.
Dean Smith has strengthened heavily in attack this summer, with Bailey, Emi Buendia and Danny Ings joining.
Villa also have wingers Bertrand Traore and long-term injury absentee Trezeguet on their books.
Despite Villa being open to selling, El Ghazi has started all three of the club's games this season.
He scored from the penalty spot in the 2-0 win over Newcastle United.
The Dutch winger then put Barrow to the sword in the 6-0 League Cup victory with two goals and two assists.
El Ghazi initially joined the Midlands giants on loan from Lille in 2018.
He signed permanently a year later and has made a total of 110 appearances for the club.
He still has two years left on the contract he signed back in 2019.