Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is reportedly ‘determined’ to sign Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram.
While the Villa boss has noted on several occasions that his priority coming into the job is to improve an underperforming side, he will have an opportunity in January to strengthen his squad if he chooses to do so.
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Naturally, new faces are to be expected at Villa next year as Emery looks to stamp his mark on the group by bringing in players that suit his ideas and style of play better, and there could be a potential target that he has in mind.
According to L’Equipe, as per Sport Witness, the Spanish tactician is said to be ‘determined’ to sign Thuram, a player that he was keen on during his time at his previous club Villarreal too.
It’s added that with Thuram’s contract set to expire in the summer, he could be available for around €10m in the January transfer window, although Villa are believed to be facing significant competition for his signature if he is indeed a genuine transfer target, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Inter and Borussia Dortmund touted as interested parties too.
Thuram has scored 41 goals and provided 26 assists in 119 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit since joining them in 2019, while he has six caps for France to his name and is part of their World Cup squad that is currently competing in Qatar.
With an ability to play right across the frontline in various positions and roles, he would add versatility along with his physicality, pace and eye for goal, and so perhaps with a view of increasing competition and adding depth to his squad, Emery is keen to bring in more firepower to complement the options he already has.
There is a real sense that Emery and Villa will keep their cards close to their chest moving forward in relation to transfer targets, and so time will tell who are realistic options for us.
After such a positive start prior to the World Cup break and with his track record of improving players, there is real excitement and optimism that should Emery be backed the way he hopes, he will continue to raise the level of quality in the Villa squad.
