Aston Villa are interested in signing Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior but there is one potential stumbling block.
Unai Emery has made it clear that he wants to add further ammunition to his wing.
Villa are by no means short on options in that area with Leon Bailey dazzling defences and Moussa Diaby adding a sprinkle of magic, but one or two additions could make all the difference in achieving their aims.
The Spaniard knows that his rivals Manchester City and Liverpool have the edge in terms of squad depth with an embarrassment of attacking riches to choose from.
This is why Aston Villa want to sign someone to play across their forward line, pushing for a starting spot in Emery’s plans or being a useful substitution.
A whole host of names have been linked, including Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior.
Villa reportedly made ‘initial contact’ with the Italian giants over a possible move for the 20-year-old last month.
Unfortunately, negotiations for the Englishman didn’t progress any further.
Juventus could give Samuel Iling-Junior a new contract
Once it became apparent that Iling-Junior could depart Turin, a long list of clubs flocked for his signature.
Fellow Italian sides Monza and Sassuolo requested to take him on loan while Premier League sides Tottenham, Brighton and Villa have shown their interest in striking a permanent deal.
Iling-Junior’s latest contribution to their title challenge, however, has altered their stance on his future.
The Chelsea academy graduate has featured off the bench on nine occasions in the Serie A this season and is yet to start.
However, on his last outing, he came off the bench to score a vital goal against Salernitana.
Juve came from behind to win 2-1 to keep themselves hot on the heels of leaders Inter Milan.
After making such a vital impact, Juventus could now offer the youngster a new contract with his current one expiring in 2025.
According to Calciomercato, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has contacted Iling-Junior’s agent to discuss offering him a new deal.
It is claimed that keeping the youngster is the ‘concrete option’ and this could spell bad news for Villa.
Iling-Junior is an ideal Unai Emery target
Aside from possessing electrifying pace and fast changes in direction when dribbling, Iling-Junior is also extremely versatile, which is a trait desired by the Villa boss.
The youngster has shown he can play in multiple positions down the left flank, both as a left wing-back and left winger, similar to Matty Cash.
lling-Junior is also devastating in the final third.
In the Juventus U19s, he plundered 14 goals and 15 assists in 58 appearances before rising to first-team stardom.
Hailed as an ‘assist machine’ by journalist Michele Neri due to his incredible output, the 20-year-old could have provided an added dimension down the left flank.
If he does sign a new contract at Juve, this will be a big blow to Emery’s chances of signing him, and the Spaniard will have to move onto other targets.
