An incredible uprise under Dean Smith led Aston Villa to the Premier League by defeating Derby County in the playoff final. But the task will be trickier in the top-flight as the Claret and Blue looks to ensure their safety and regain their lost status after a few years of turmoil and catastrophe.
The club recently released several veterans upon completion of the 2018-19 season, and are already in the market for replacements. They need to bolster the right-back position following the egress of Alan Hutton, Ritchie De Laet and Micah Richards and are reportedly linked with a move for Daniel Opare in a cut-price deal, according to the Sun.
The 28-year-old Ghanian is currently enjoying his game in Belgium with Pro League outfit Royal Antwerp following a Bosman transfer from Augsburg last summer. His current contract is set to expire next year, but a £500,000 fee is being predicted within the next few months.
Opare has been a journeyman throughout his career having spent his time in the top leagues of Spain, Germany, France, Portugal, Turkey and Belgium. He must be keen on a switch to England for the first time in his career, and the minuscule fee makes his signing a low-risk one for any of his potential suitors.
The same report also claims Norwich City’s interest in the defender as the two newly-promoted sides are likely to battle it out for his services. The former Porto and Real Madrid B star has been capped 20 times for the Black Stars including an appearance in the 2014 FIFA World Cup against the USA. His experience is enormous, and the Villans would be benefitted by his presence on and off the pitch.
Although the fans must be excited to see new signing Frederic Guilbert (who was recruited from Caen on the winter deadline before rejoining them on loan for the rest of the campaign), Villa would prefer competition in that role with Opare is likely to contribute as an understudy in the initial days. Youngster James Bree could have been an option as well, but a disastrous loan spell at Ipswich means the player might have to move out once more to grab minutes at a senior level.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, mostly relied upon their veteran Egyptian Ahmed Elmohamady down the right-hand side of the backline. Despite enjoying a productive run in the Championship, the 31-year-old is more comfortable as a wingback due to his attacking attributes. Opare, therefore, would be a shrewd piece of business and the club must step up the chase and tie him down before the Canaries secure his transfer.
