Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has spoken on Lucas Digne’s future amid speculation of an exit, and on our touted interest in Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna.
As per Fabrizio Romano earlier this week, talks were said to be advancing for the French international to join OGC Nice in an initial loan move with an option to buy.
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Meanwhile, Argentine journalist Gaston Edul reported this past week that Acuna was closing in on a move to join us, and so there appeared to be a reshuffle ahead in the left-back position to provide competition and depth along with Alex Moreno.
Digne though has impressed in his last two outings against Everton and Hibernian respectively, registering a hat-trick of assists against the latter in our midweek Europa Conference League clash, and so the argument in favour of keeping him has certainly been strengthened.
Nevertheless, while the 30-year-old isn’t necessarily an ideal fit for Emery’s preferred system and style of play, he is also believed to be one of our top earners. With that in mind, it doesn’t make a great deal of sense financially to have such a big salary on the books for what is essentially a back-up player when Moreno is fit, and so question marks remain.
Speaking to the media ahead of our encounter with Burnley on Sunday, Emery reiterated his happiness with Digne while opening up on his future, but also revealed that he has an offer and discussed the possibility of Acuna being drafted in to replace him.
“We have now two very good and experienced players at left full-back,” Emery told the media, as per the Athletic. “We could have the possibility with Lucas Digne and let him leave because he has a very good offer. But we are very focused and very responsible speaking with him and in case we can have another option, a good option to change him but it’s not clear.
“We appreciate Lucas Digne as a player and as a person. Today, there’s no chance to leave. With the possibility of another player to replace him in the squad.
“Of course, Marcos Acuna is a very good player. Monchi knows him very good. I’ve played a lot against him and he’s a very good player. But we know he’s injured now but in our mind, it’s to try to complete our squad with the best possibility of players.
“I am very happy and we have very good performances with Lucas Digne and Alex Moreno in the squad.”
With just over a week to go before the transfer deadline, there is still time for Villa to add to our four summer signings thus far. If Digne impresses again at Burnley this weekend, that will only further solidify the case in favour of keeping him and focusing our attention on strengthening the squad elsewhere.
However, should the pieces fall into place for a change to be made, it does sound as though Villa could be open to it, although Acuna’s injury could now complicate his possible move, with Sevilla confirming that the Argentine international faces ‘multiple weeks’ out with a hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Moreno is expected to return from his own hamstring injury in the coming weeks, and given how effective and impressive he’s been since arriving in January, that will be a huge boost for us to have him available again, and it will be important to have the best possible alternative moving forward.