Aston Villa have reportedly sent scouts to watch Hellas Verona winger Cyril Ngonge ahead of a potential move to Villa Park.
With the January transfer fast approaching, Unai Emery has admitted he’s looking to bolster his squad, but will only sign a player if they fit into his philosophy.
Although it’s been a fantastic season for Aston Villa so far, there are still areas in the squad that need bolstering if they are to finish in the top four.
At the top end of the pitch, Villa are heavily reliant on Ollie Watkins, who has been involved in 17 of their 40 Premier League goals this term.
Emery has said he won’t rush to sign a back-up for his incredible talisman, but there have been links drawn to multiple wide players.
The Villans have been linked with two Championship stars; Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville and Norwich City’s Jonathan Rowe.
Now, another left-sided player has been mooted with a possible move to the Midlands as Emery casts his rod into the talent pool available in Europe.
Aston Villa have sent scouts to watch Cyril Ngonge
According to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, Aston Villa are interested in the Hellas Verona winger, who is reportedly valued at €15m (£13m).
It is claimed that his departure from the club is a “very likely scenario” amid interest from the Premier League side and the fact that Verona wants to balance their books by making a profit on their Belgian talent.
Although it doesn’t specify whether a move to Villa could come to fruition in January, his low valuation could act as a bonus to a side who aren’t expected to spend big on players in the window.
With two years left on his contract in Italy, Verona are in no rush to sell the 23-year-old, who has scored five goals and supplied two assists in 15 Series A appearances this term.
Should Aston Villa sign Cyril Ngonge?
Ngonge is currently performing well for a side who are battling relegation in Serie A and would be a low risk move with potentially high rewards.
Unlike the signings of Moussa Diaby in the summer and Leon Bailey two years prior, Ngonge wouldn’t have the pressure of playing up to his price tag.
Capped six times by Belgium at U19 level, the youngster has plenty of years left to live up to the potential he’s beginning to show.
According to FBref, Ngonge has demonstrated he’s lethal in front of goal having ranked in the top 12% across Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals and top 14% for shots.
An impressive finisher of chances with five goals from an xG of 3.86 this season, the ruthless winger could be exactly what Villa need cutting in from either flank.
The Belgian contingent in Emery’s squad, including Youri Tielemans and Leander Dendoncker would also help him seamlessly adapt to his new surroundings.
All the signs point to him being an impressive acquisition for Villa.
