Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has confirmed that Nicolo Zaniolo is one of the targets we’re considering, as he strongly hinted that he expects further new signings.
Villa have already brought in Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby this summer, but we also suffered a significant blow this week as Emiliano Buendia is expected to be sidelined for most of the season after suffering knee ligament injury in training.
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Whether we already had plans in place to strengthen further or that injury setback has forced us into action is unclear, but it certainly sounds as though we can expect further activity between now and the transfer deadline.
Emery confirmed that Zaniolo is one of the targets being assessed, but he was coy on whether or not the Italian international is our priority, and hinted that there could be more than one signing to come.
“We are trying to have possibilities with different players and which players could help us,” he is quoted as saying by BirminghamLive. “There could be one or more with the potential to come here. But now it is not 100 per cent clear who they are.
“Zaniolo is not a striker. He is versatile. He can play as a striker, a number seven or a number 10 and he is one of those on our list, with the qualities he has, to help us. He is one on the list and there are others.”
The 24-year-old has impressed during spells with Roma and Galatasaray, joining the latter in February earlier this year before going on to score five goals and provide one assist in 12 appearances.
Prior to that he contributed 24 goals and 18 assists in 128 outings for Roma, while he also has 13 caps for Italy to his name.
There will be concern though given his injury history having suffered some serious knee injuries of his own, but if Emery and the Villa hierarchy are convinced that he’s best placed to help us achieve our objectives this season, his arrival will undoubtedly be welcomed by all concerned.
As per Fabrizio Romano, Villa’s offer is believed to be an initial loan move with an option to buy included in the deal, but terms haven’t yet been agreed upon between the two clubs. He does add though that Zaniolo is keen on joining us.
Speaking in his pre-Newcastle Utd press conference on Thursday, the Villa boss strongly suggested that we will bring in more new signings, as he confirmed that the process of identifying the best targets is ongoing.
“We’re working,” he told the media, as per VillaTV. “The process is ongoing while the transfer window is open to get something more, to try to let some leave, but we’re doing everything, with deep analysis, speaking to Monchi, with the owners, really trying to improve the squad.”
Villa are certainly assembling a strong group that is capable of competing at the top level across multiple fronts, and it will be fascinating to see who else we bring in to strengthen further. For now, the more immediate focus is on Newcastle and starting the new campaign on a positive note.
