Aston Villa’s move for Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar could be one that ‘goes right to the wire’, journalist Pete O’Rourke has told GiveMeSport.
The Midlands outfit have been linked with a late swoop for the talented 24-year-old, who has entered the final six months of his £60,000-per-week contract at the Groupama Stadium.
Aston Villa transfer news – Houssem Aouar
Football Insider have claimed that Villa are ‘working on a last-gasp deal’ for Aouar as Emery looks to strengthen his options in the middle of the park.
The Spanish tactician was unsuccessful in his pursuit of Matteo Guendouzi with Marseille unwilling to part ways with the former Arsenal player.
Aouar has long been regarded as one of the top performers in Ligue 1, racking up 41 goals and 35 assists in 224 appearances for Lyon throughout his senior career.
However, the technically gifted star has found game time hard to come by this season, starting just six top-flight fixtures due to injury issues and a lack of form.
If Emery can get this deal over the line and get Aouar back to his best, though, Villa could pick up a very gifted footballer for a cut-price fee.
What has O’Rourke said about Aouar?
O’Rourke has told GMS that this potential deal is one that could carry on into the night and past the 11 o’clock deadline if the deal sheets are submitted in time.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
He said: “Yeah, it could be one of those that goes right to the wire. And as you said, Villa have left it quite late to make the move for Houssem Aouar right now as well, and I’m sure there’ll be locked in talks with Lyon to see if a deal can be agreed.
“If it’s needed, they might have to get that deal sheet out to try and get it done. And we’ve seen so many deals get done once the 11 o’clock deadline passes when the Premier League give clubs extra time to get deals over the line.”
Who have Aston Villa signed this January?
Villa made the first addition of Emery’s reign in the shape of left-back Alex Moreno who arrived in a £13.2 million deal from Real Betis.
The 29-year-old was then joined at the club by Colombian striker Jhon Duran after the Villans stumped up £18 million to prise him away from MLS outfit Chicago Fire.
If Villa can add Aouar to their ranks in the final stages of the window, then it will surely be regarded as a productive month for Emery and co.
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