Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson is reportedly set to join Nice on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy included.
The 28-year-old’s struggles during his time at Villa have been well-documented, but despite signs of a potential fresh chance under Unai Emery, it doesn’t appear as though the Frenchman will feature in his plans moving forward.
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According to Footmercato’s Sebastien Denis, Sanson is set to leave us to join Nice on loan, while there is an option to buy included in the agreement.
It comes after he wasn’t involved in the squad that faced Newcastle Utd in Philadelphia on Sunday as part of our pre-season tour, with Emery confirming after the game that the reason behind his absence was that he is now expected to leave.
With his contract still running until 2025, it had been hoped that if an exit was the ultimate outcome for him this summer, a permanent transfer would arguably have suited all concerned much better rather than another temporary fix.
Nevertheless, it appears as though the deal is likely to be confirmed imminently, and that should essentially bring about the same end result in terms of Sanson’s future at Villa being over.
As noted above, with his involvement against Walsall last weekend coupled with the decision for him to travel with the Villa squad to the USA, it was felt as though he could be given another opportunity under Emery as we hope to play in excess of 60 games this season across all competitions.
The Villa boss spoke in January prior to Sanson’s loan move to Strasbourg about how he rates him highly and how he fits into the style he wants to implement, but ultimately we’re moving in a different direction and it remains to be seen if we bring in another midfielder this summer to fill that void.
Youri Tielemans has already arrived on a free transfer, but Emery may now feel as though he needs more cover and competition in that department to ensure we have enough to stay competitive over a gruelling season.