Aston Villa were one of the busiest sides in Europe during the summer transfer window. The newly promoted Premier League outfit spent a whopping €148 million on new arrivals. But, they are still facing problems, especially in the attacking department.
Record signing Wesley has scored only one goal so far while backup striker Jonathan Kodija is struggling with an injury. It has left manager Dean Smith devoid of reliable options in the goalscoring department. Hence, we could expect the Villans to sign a striker in the upcoming January transfer window. In this article, we will talk about three players they could target.
Yoshinori Muto
Yoshinori Muto was one of the most promising attackers in the Bundesliga before he moved to Newcastle United at the start of last year. And since then, the Japanese international has struggled to make a mark in the Premier League. He has, in fact, scored only two goals for the Magpies in 23 matches.
The biggest reason behind Muto’s struggles is that he has lacked first-team opportunities. The 27-year-old started only five matches in his debut campaign in England. And with the Tyneside outfit signing Andy Carroll and Joelinton this summer, it’s unlikely Muto has any future at the club.
Aston Villa, in that regard, could be an ideal destination for the Japanese number nine. He can be utilised as a backup for Wesley while his versatility will allow Smith to deploy him in other areas of the pitch.
Yuya Osako
The second Japanese player to feature on this list, Yuya Osako is not really a prolific forward by any means. He is, in fact, more of a number ten, who likes to play in behind the central striker. He has also never scored ten goals or more in a single season since arriving in Germany back in 2014.
Osako currently plays for Werder Bremen, where he has become a key member of the attack, scoring four goals in five matches in all competitions this season. The 29-year-old is a pacy attacker, who often performs in big games – a rare asset for any top striker these days.
At Aston Villa, Osako can be deployed in a number ten role or alongside Wesley in a 4-4-2. His addition to the club will offer tactical versatility for Smith in the final third.
Cenk Tosun
It was surprising to see Cenk Tosun not leaving the Goodison Park this summer, following a disastrous spell at Everton. He was linked with a return to Turkey, with champions Galatasaray being one of the clubs interested in his services. It is believed that the forward wanted to fight for his place.
That plan hasn’t gone down all too well for Tosun, who is yet to make a single Premier League appearance this season. Hence, he is destined to leave Everton in January, and that’s where Aston Villa could come in.
The newly-promoted side could offer Tosun a lifeline and an opportunity to prove his mettle in the Premier League. The Turkish international has the quality to replace Wesley as Villa’s number one striker. And given his experience, he could be a smart choice for Smith.
