Aston Villa will be eager to sign several talents in the summer transfer window however, Unai Emery and Monchi must now act fast as West Ham are planning to talk to one rumoured target.
While Aston Villa will be confident of their pull in the upcoming transfer window, the Villans are not guaranteed to lure all of their targets to Villa Park.
Unai Emery and Monchi will consider themselves at an advantage going into the summer, as Villa secured Champions League football with a deserved fourth-place finish in the 2023/24 Premier League.
For all of the squad’s achievements this season, the Midlands club will desire a fresh batch of quality talent to be delivered ahead of next term, with several targets already named.
One player linked to Villa Park earlier this month was Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri, a prospect that Monchi must now act fast on to secure.
West Ham to hold talks with Aston Villa target Youssef En-Nesyri
In mid-May, Sport Witness relayed the news that Villa are one of three Premier League clubs eyeing En-Nesyri, with Newcastle United and West Ham also named.
The striker, who scored more goals than Vinicius Junior in La Liga during the 2023/24 campaign, is rumoured to be hoping to part ways with Sevilla this summer.
While Villa are in an advantageous position over the other two Premier League clubs interested due to their Champions League stance, it’s West Ham who look to be covering ground over a deal, according to fresh reports.
Sport Witness claim that Julen Lopetegui’s side will ‘bet heavily’ on signing the forward, who could be available for a fee of around £21m as Sevilla look to generate profit quickly.
Though the Hammers seem to be in the driving seat in the race for En-Nesyri, Villa mustn’t give up hope of acquiring the Moroccan talisman.
Youssef En-Nesyri would be the ideal Ollie Watkins alternative
Going into the summer, Villa will be eager to replenish the front line, with Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran standing alone as Emery’s choices in the striker role.
The lack of depth is particularly alarming considering that Duran’s future is not secure at Villa Park, meaning signing another alternative to Watkins may be integral in the transfer window.
| Ollie Watkins | Youssef En-Nesyri | |
| Appearances | 37 | 33 |
| Goals | 19 | 16 |
| Assists | 13 | 2 |
| Conversion % | 18% | 22% |
| Key passes per game | 1.2 | 0.3 |
As seen above, En-Nesyri is as clinical as Watkins when it comes to converting chances, even sporting a higher conversion rate than the Villa man for his efforts in La Liga this season.
The Englishman stands alone in the creative side of the two forwards’ game, something that could hand Emery a total contrast to the 28-year-old without sacrificing potency in front of goal.
With West Ham’s interest said to be heating up, Villa should act promptly if they are to pursue the Morrocco international, who would be an undoubtedly strong forward to bolster the depth at Villa Park.
