According to The Athletic’s Gregg Evans, Aston Villa are plotting a double raid on Chelsea for their attacking pair Hakim Ziyech and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Unai Emery is fond of the Gabonese centre-forward, also the flexibility of Ziyech across the frontline could see the Villans stepping up the chase in due course of time.
Villa were struggling at the wrong end of the Premier League standings before Emery’s appointment as Steven Gerrard’s successor. The Spaniard grabbed some massive results that helped them climb up the league ladder over the past couple of months. His contacts and reputation should attract an array of renowned names who hold both experience and expertise in the European circuit.
Aubameyang, 33, has an illustrious senior career which started at San Siro with AC Milan. But he spent his time out on loan at Dijon, Lille and Monaco before completing a permanent move to Saint-Étienne without making a single first-team appearance for the Rossoneri. A promising stint earned him a transfer to Borussia Dortmund, then managed by Jurgen Klopp. Arsenal secured his services in a mega-money swoop back in January 2018, but the veteran attacking ace parted ways with the London side last winter following a fallout with Mikel Arteta.
Although he revived his form at Barcelona in the aftermath of a Bosman switch, the stay did not last long as the Blues roped him in on the summer deadline day. Aubameyang was identified as a short-term fix to their conundrum high up the pitch, but he has failed to replicate his Gunners’ form so far in limited minutes.
Why Aston Villa Should Step Up The Chase For The Chelsea Pair
Chelsea have brought in a plethora of attackers to accelerate the transition. Moreover, the potential summer arrival of Christopher Nkunku would further jeopardize his future at Stamford Bridge. Aubameyang does not belong to Graham Potter’s plans, and therefore, an offer is tipped to be considered before the window is slammed shut in five days’ time. Aston Villa, who have already tied down Jhon Duran following Danny Ings’ exit, would rather wait until July if he remains available for a minuscule figure.
Ziyech, 29, had a blistering FIFA World Cup campaign for Morocco. His wing play in Qatar terrorized the heavyweights like Belgium, Spain and Portugal, but the London hotshots would still listen to offers given the inconsistency exhibited down the flanks. Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic, as well as the winter signings Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke, are there to occupy the wide attacking spots and a move to Villa Park would be a win-win scenario for all parties involved.
