Unai Emery wants Aston Villa to sign forward to replace £50m star – sources
Unai Emery wants to improve his attacking options in the January transfer window, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that Atletico Madrid’s Samuel Lino is a target for the Premier League side.
Villa lost Moussa Diaby to Saudi Arabia in the summer transfer window for £50million, but never really replaced him.
That is something that Emery would like to change, although it isn’t being seen as an urgent situation for the club right now.
Sources tell Football Insider that Atletico Madrid will not be too keen on letting Lino leave midway through the season as they’re competing in the Champions League and La Liga.
Villa will have to be patient and wait to try and sign Lino in the summer transfer window if they remain interested.
Unai Emery wants more attacking players at Aston Villa
Villa have been relying on Ollie Watkins as the lead strike throughout this season with the England international having started every Premier League game this season.
Watkins has scored four goals so far while also providing three assists in all competitions, but Emery still wants to bolster his attacking options.
Lino has yet to open his account this season for Atletico Madrid, but his versatility is a draw for Emery as he can play in various attacking positions.
One reason Emery might want to enhance his attacking options is because Jhon Duran is currently being monitored by Real Madrid.
In other news, Aston Villa staff have serious concerns about Matty Cash – Ex-Villa scout.
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