Aston Villa are reportedly keeping tabs on Real Sociedad midfield duo Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino ahead of a big summer transfer window for the club.
Villa are expected to be busy in the transfer market, with Unai Emery having his first real opportunity to strengthen the squad and mould it into his own.
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Speculation has already started to link us with countless targets, and now AS report that Zubimendi and Merino are on our agenda, while we had considered an approach for Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe prior to the touted appointment of Mateu Alemany in a key role as part of our management structure.
Time will tell if the midfield duo remain on our shortlist heading into the summer, but the midfield is seemingly an area in which we can improve, or at the very least add quality competition and depth.
Zubimendi, 24, has made 138 appearances for Sociedad having come through the youth ranks at the club, and he has continued to play a pivotal role for the La Liga outfit this year.
Merino, 26, joined them in June 2018 and has gone on to make 192 appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 25 assists in a more advanced midfield role compared to his teammate.
Should the speculation fail to ultimately develop into anything more, it’s still an interesting insight into the profile of player that Emery is perhaps looking for this summer, as he tries to identify and sign players that fit his style of play and the system that he’s installed at Villa.
The Spanish tactician has spoken consistently about wanting to control games, dominate the tempo and possession, and with that we need creativity and technical ability to not only retain the ball, but then unlock defences and add quality in the final third.
With Emery’s influence along with the expected arrival of Alemany this summer, La Liga is likely going to be a hub for our transfer activity, but time will tell who ultimately arrives to improve us moving forward, and if either Zubimendi or Merino form part of those plans.