Aston Villa are amongst the clubs interested in signing Tottenham Hotspur outcast Giovani Lo Celso this summer.
Emery knows the midfielder well, having worked with him at both Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal, and is keen on a reunion with the Argentina international.
Lo Celso never got going at Spurs, and spent the last 18 months on loan at Villarreal, who elected not to keep him permanently.
Estadio Deportivo have now reported that Villa, alongside Napoli and Real Betis, are interested in signing the 27-year-old this summer, as Emery wants to work with him again, and this opportunity may have been gifted to Villa because of their manager.
Villarreal had an option to buy in Lo Celso’s contract as part of the loan deal, but with Emery departing midway through last season, they decided that they would not keep him beyond the end of the season. If Emery had stayed at the La Liga side, they may have ended up keeping him, denying Villa the chance to recruit him.
What can Lo Celso bring to Villa?
The Argentina international typically plays as an attacking midfielder, and could slot straight into a role behind the striker or even deeper, with his work-rate one of his best attributes.
At Real Betis prior to his Spurs move, he scored 16 times as he enjoyed his best season in front of goal, but is yet to replicate this output, and now thrives more in build-up play rather than the final third.
Emery has previously praised his versatility, which saw him occasionally used as a false nine at Villarreal, whilst also describing him as a “great player,” and he may be the best-placed coach to help Lo Celso return to his best form.
He could prove to be an astute signing at under £20m, and if Emery can help him regain his confidence, they will be picking up an international midfielder with Champions League pedigree in his prime years.
