Moussa Diaby was sold by Aston Villa this summer but Unai Emery is still yet to find a replacement for the Frenchman with time running out.
Aston Villa’s club-record signing Moussa Diaby was sold to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad for a reported £50 million in July.
Diaby’s first season in England was a mixed bag, as the 25-year-old produced 10 goals and nine assists in all competitions but was still criticised over his performances.
Unai Emery has attempted to replace the Frenchman following his departure. Villa were linked with a move for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling but talks of a transfer to Villa Park are now dead in the water.
Emery has made it clear that he wants to sign an attacker this week and he should revisit one of his previous targets, who would be the perfect Diaby replacement.
Aston Villa should make last-minute move for Borussia Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi
Villa currently have multiple options in wide areas. Whilst John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey are battling for minutes on the left, Leon Bailey is preferred on the right with Jaden Philogene as backup.
The above quartet are all quality options but Emery could add a difference-maker to his attacking ranks by revisiting a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Karim Adeyemi.
Villa were linked with Adeyemi in July but nothing came to fruition, although his reported value of £25 million could see the Villans strike a last-minute transfer.
Adeyemi is the fastest player in Bundesliga history and would add electric pace to Emery’s attack along the front, with the 22-year-old capable of playing on the right, left or as a centre-forward.
Likened to Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah due to his ability to work ‘magic’ from the flank, as per the Bundesliga website, the German international can deliver huge amounts of excitement.
Former Dortmund teammate Jude Bellingham was once left stunned by Adeyemi, as he claimed that not many players in world football could stop him.
“We are really confident when he gets the ball one on one. Not many players can stop him,” the England midfielder told once told BBC Sport. “He had a tough time coming here at the start – finding his feet – and now he’s flying.”
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The statistics that should sell Adeyemi to Emery
With his incredible pace and direct running, Adeyemi is a defender’s nightmare to play against. As highlighted by FBref, he’s averaged 4.2 progressive carries per game in the past year and 5.31 touches in the opposition’s penalty box.
A frightening proposition to deal with, as he’s simply unstoppable in full flight, the youngster is also brilliant at carrying out his defensive work.
Adeyemi posts 1.49 tackles, 0.61 interceptions and 5.36 ball recoveries per game, which showcases his ability to track back and protect his full-back.
That is a huge requirement in Emery’s system and an attribute the German possesses in abundance. Indeed, if Villa pulled off a last-minute transfer for the Dortmund star, he’s arguably an upgrade on Diaby and a player the Spaniard would love.
