Aston Villa are in the market for attacking reinforcements with Lucas Digne the latest to be targeted in a swap deal.
For Unai Emery and Monchi, several creases need ironing out for their Aston Villa squad to be ready for the upcoming campaign.
It’s been a productive summer for Villa so far, who have signed seven new players however, there are still multiple positions causing them issues.
The Villans want to sign a quality centre-back to replace Diego Carlos, namely Lutsharel Geertruida, while the loss of Moussa Diaby has left Emery needing an attacking spark.
Primary Villa target Joao Felix has made it clear he wants to join Chelsea instead, despite them being able to offer Champions League football, with the club now seemingly looking elsewhere.
Aston Villa’s Lucas Digne eyed in swap deal for Besiktas star Ernest Muci
According to Turkish outlet Aslinda, Villa have reportedly asked Besiktas to exchange left-back Lucas Digne for Albanian attacking midfielder Ernest Muci.
Besiktas signed the ‘superb’ Muci for €10m (£8.5m) in the January transfer window from Legia Warsaw following 114 appearances, 21 goals and 10 assists for the Polish giants.
After switching to his new club, the 23-year-old – who featured for Albania at Euro 2024 – has since racked up 17 appearances for the Turkish outfit, scoring four goals.
Now, following the appointment of new coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Muci could be on his way out of Turkey after he wasn’t involved at all in their last two matches against Galatasaray and Samsunspor.
Interestingly, it’s a swap deal for Villa star Digne that has been mooted, who has impressed for Emery in pre-season and is set to start against West Ham next weekend.
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How Aston Villa should approach Ernest Muci deal
Villa strengthened in the left-back position with the signing of Ian Maatsen from Chelsea for £37.5 million.
Many felt that the Dutchman joining would spell the end for one of Digne or Alex Moreno but that hasn’t been the case, with Digne giving Emery a selection ahead of their season opener against the Hammers.
Of course, Maatsen is seen as a long-term solution to the duo however, Digne’s professionalism and quality, in particular, can be of exceptional use to Aston Villa in 2024/25.
Playing the Frenchman at the beginning of the campaign can give Emery’s new signing extended time to accustom himself to the high demands set by the Spaniard.
That means, despite his £100k-a-week wages and his contract expiring in 2026, Digne is unlikely to be sold this summer and any transfer for Muci should be discussed without the 31-year-old included.
In terms of Muci, the Albanian attacking midfielder would provide versatility across the front line having played as an attacking midfielder, winger and striker last term, but there are question marks over his credentials.
The youngster has never made an appearance in the Champions League and at this stage of the window, Emery should be targeting players who have.
