In a recent report, L’Equipe has stated that Aston Villa are eyeing a summer move for Girondins Bordeaux winger Mehdi Zerkane this summer. It is understood that the Villans have been keeping tabs on his progress in French football this season and could move in for him at the end of this campaign (via L’Equipe).
Zerkane’s Inconsistent Form In French Football
Zerkane is having an up and down season at Bordeaux as he has struggled to be productive with his performances in the opposition half. The Algerian wing wizard has featured in 27 matches for the French outfit this term, netting one goal and providing one assist on all fronts.
The 21-year-old has failed to be consistent with his contributions in the final third based on his average of 0.6 shots, 0.5 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Ligue 1 this season. However, he has distributed the ball relatively well from the wide areas after making 84.9% of his attempted passes in the French first division (stats via whoscored).
Zerkane is still under contract at Bordeaux until the summer of 2024, so it would be easy for the Villans to land him on the cheap this summer unless the French club are willing to cash in on him during this summer transfer period.
Is Zerkane A Good Choice For The Villans?
Zerkane has shown some signs of promise during this campaign and deserves credit for adding some goals and assists to his game. He is highly versatile as he can operate in multiple positions across the frontline. The Algerian youngster has got potential to grow into a world-class player in the attacking end of the field someday. Hence, he could be a good long-term choice for Aston Villa boss Dean Smith to consider in this off-season.
At 21, Zerkane is only going to get better with more experience, so the Villans should think about getting him on board if they are planning to ease him into their squad in the coming seasons. The Algerian prospect is good enough to fight for a regular starting place at Villa Park and will undeniably increase competition for places within Smith’s squad.
Furthermore, the Villa manager could be the ideal man to oversee his development as he has got the experience and the man-management skills to get the best out of him in the years to come. He will also have no trouble settling into Smith’s brand of football as he is an accurate passer of the ball. With all things considered, Zerkane will be a shrewd signing for the Villans in the long run but there are some concerns over whether he can cope with the physical nature of English football.
