Sources: Roma launch bid to sign Aston Villa star El Ghazi after Smith U-turn
Roma have launched a bid to sign Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi after a Dean Smith U-turn, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The Villa boss had blocked the Dutchman, 26, from quitting this summer following the knee injury suffered to Trezeguet that rules him out of next season.
But a Villa source has told Football Insider that Smith is now ready to listen to offers for El Ghazi as he closes in on multiple wide forward signings.
It is believed it will take a fee well in excess of £10million to seal a deal.
That has opened the door to Roma, whose new manager Jose Mourinho is a major admirer of the winger's ability to score and create goals.
Smith recognises that letting El Ghazi go would be something of a risk as he is a matchwinner who ended last season with a flurry of goals.
The wide man netted four times in the last seven Premier League matches to end the campaign with an impressive 11 goals from 31 games in all competitions.
As revealed by Football Insider in April, Smith made it a priority to add multiple attacking recruits to his squad this summer.
The Villans have already signed Emi Buendia in a deal worth £33million rising to a potential £38m.
They are now in advanced talks to sign Norwich City's Todd Cantwell as he heads into the final year of his contract.
Villa are also leading the charge for Leon Bailey and Football Insider revealed last Friday (23rd July) they have had a bid of around £30million knocked back by Bayer Leverkusen.
At Norwich last season, Cantwell predominantly operated on the left flank with Buendia on the right.
Bailey is another versatile wide man, who has spent most of his career switching between the flanks.