Aston Villa are set to sell Plymouth loanee, Finn Azaz to Middlesbrough in a deal worth £2.5m with a deal looking very likely.
Yet another Aston Villa youngster looks set to be sold as a move now looks likely for Finn Azaz to make a permanent departure.
Over the summer, youth prospects Jaden Philogene, Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer were all sold and now January has followed suit.
It has been made clear that Unai Emery isn’t particularly forthcoming when it comes to giving younger players a chance. This has seen Villa cash in and help balance their books by selling players for “pure profit”.
It has now been reported by Jacob Tanswell, via Twitter, that Villa’s young Irish midfielder is set to be the next to leave.
This move won’t come as a surprise to most given the excellent form that the 23-year old has shown this season. As a result, Middlesbrough have come in with a bid which appears to have been accepted by Villa.
This move will see his loan spell be cut short with Plymouth Argyle, where he has been superb, in order to complete a permanent transfer.
It must be said that Villa fans had been clamouring for him to be given a chance in the first-team squad at Bodymoor Heath. That isn’t going to be the case.
Aston Villa may regret letting Finn Azaz go
Although Villa find themselves sitting at the top end of the Premier League, they still need a squad. Having young players in the wings certainly helps to build that and allows them to gain experience in the first team.
Looking at Azaz’s Fbref profile, he profiles as one of the best midfielders in an attacking sense ‘compared to positional peers in Men’s Next 14 Competitions over the last 365 days.’
He ranks in the top 97% for seven statistics including non-penalty xG, touches in the attacking penalty area and expected assists.
It must be said that at 23, approaching 24-years old, he is potentially reaching a peak age which means he is better served away from Villa Park.
Looking at young stars that Villa have let go this season already, like Philogene, there has been some regret for fans. They will be hoping that Azaz succeeds but isn’t someone the club regrets letting go of in the future.
On one hand, it is a good piece of business for the club but that doesn’t stop it being frustrating for fans as another youngster slips through the net.
