According to a recent report by Sky Sports, Premier League strugglers Aston Villa are said to be in the market for a striker before the winter transfer window shuts at the end of January. They recently completed the signing of Mbwana Samatta from KRC Genk on a four and a half year deal, but despite doing so, Dean Smith is claimed to be keen on making further additions to his side this month.
The report states that there are a couple of names across the continent that are currently piquing the Villans’ interest, and that the manager is looking to keep his eyes open for new players despite the Samatta acquisition. One of the options currently being linked with a move to Villa Park is former Leicester City star Islam Slimani, while the other name being heard around the stadium is that of Rio Ave’s Mehdi Taremi.
Why Is Dean Smith Targeting More Strikers?
The injury to Wesley came as a gutting blow to a team that was already struggling to find goals. Backup striking option Jonathan Kodjia has also now left the club and went on to join Qatari side Al Gharafa. Dean Smith has been forced to deploy players like Anwar El Ghazi in the central role in recent weeks, and the addition of some top quality strikers is sure to be at the top of the gaffer’s to-do list for the winter transfer window.
In Samatta, they have acquired a proven European goalscorer, but they could need another striker in order to really get the best out of the Tanzanian. Wesley struggled to find his form for large phases of the Premier League campaign owing mainly to the lack of competition up front and allowing the same thing to happen to Samatta could prove fatal for the Villans. With 25 points to their name after 24 league fixtures, Dean Smith’s side find themselves just a couple of points clear of the relegation zone and will want to enter the second part of the season with as many extra bodies as possible.
Assessing The Two Attacking Stars That Villa Are Being Linked With:
Mehdi Taremi
The 27-year-old is an Iranian international striker who made the switch to Portugal from the Qatari league last summer. Since the move though, the striker has really managed to hit the ground running in terms of blending in with the rest of the team, and he’s shown signs of real potential as well. Extremely intelligent on the ball, the attacker uses physicality to his benefit and is adept at timing his runs into the box, effectively making him an ideal Premier League striker.
Islam Slimani
The former Leicester man had a horrible time at the King Power Stadium but has the opportunity to walk into a different kind of situation this time around. Despite the purchase of Samatta, Slimani’s goalscoring rate will surely be a motivating factor for Dean Smith, and the fact that he already has Premier League experience will be seen as a boost too. Moreover, the Algerian has scored seven times for Monaco this season, and at 31, would probably be a better option as a back-up striker.
