Aston Villa have now been linked to signing Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad amongst other Premier League interest.
It has so far been a quiet transfer window for Aston Villa with no signings made in this January window, as of yet.
There have been many links to various new players which would improve Unai Emery’s squad moving forward this season.
Mainly it has been attacking reinforcements linked to the Villans with Cyril Ngonge being heavily spoken of and Paulo Dybala being rumoured.
There have also been defensive options suggested in the past week with a move for Kosta Nedeljkovic said to be close.
With all that being said, it appears that there are various irons in the fire for potential signings in this January window.
Now there have been suggestions that a midfield option, or two, could be looked at in the latter stages of the month.
Villa interest in Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino
This rumour has come as somewhat as a surprise given the quality that the Villans already possess in their midfield.
With John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz, there is a trio that has been irreplaceable so far this campaign.
It could be said that the squad depth in the centre of the pitch could do with some improvement. This sees Leander Dendoncker as the only true defensive-minded backup player. There have been reports that Villa could move him on.
With that being said, there could be a necessary requirement to bring in some additional midfield options in January.
Now in a report by Mundo Deportivo’s Bizkaia edition, they have suggested that there is interest in Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi.
On that, they said: “The newspaper explains how the ‘continental aristocracy’, with Aston Villa, Liverpool and Barcelona named specifically, all seem interested in signing Zubimendi and teammate Mikel Merino at some point.”
With a high level of interest in the pair, it may be a struggle for Villa to get their hands on either one of these, especially in January.
Given that they wouldn’t be guaranteed an immediate spot in the starting XI over the quality that Emery already has.
The newspaper went on to say: “They are considered the ‘jewels’ at Real Sociedad at this moment in time and have earned that status with a series of impressive performances for La Real so far.”
It is clear that both Zubimendi and Merino are top players and have performed well this season. This sees Real Sociedad sitting in sixth place in LaLiga.
With Villa potentially being able to offer Champions League next season, this kind of signing may be more likely next year.
