Aston Villa may be in the market for attacking reinforcements in January
Aston Villa have far from had it all their own way in the new season and the feeling around Villa Park is that Unai Emery’s blossoming European challengers may have seen their progress stunted by financial matters out of their own hands.
With zero goals scored in three league matches - comprised of a 0-0 draw against a Newcastle United side without a recognised striker, narrow defeat at Brentford, who have been stripped of all their top assets, and a 3-0 thumping at home by Crystal Palace - the start to the season could not have been much worse and it was clear reinforcements were needed at Villa Park.
Another striking option to offer competition for Ollie Watkins and new signing Evann Guessand may be the order of the day for the Villans come the January transfer window.
Aston Villa targeting Jean-Philippe Mateta alongside Newcastle
Reported by Caught Offside, Villa are reportedly considering a huge £40 million bid for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta in January. They may face fierce competition from Newcastle, while newly-promoted Leeds United are also touted to make an ambitious move for the 28-year-old Frenchman.
Mateta is under contract at Selhurst Park until 2027 and has enjoyed a special period under Oliver Glasner both personally and for the club, but Mateta’s future is said to be ‘far from settled’ after ‘unproductive’ contract negotiations.
Amidst speculation around the future of Marc Guehi, who stayed at the club on deadline day but sees his contract expire next summer, it currently appears unlikely that Palace would allow another of their key players to leave mid-way through the season.
But in a projected reality where, say, contract negotiations with Mateta continue to hit an impasse, the Eagles crash out of the Conference League early and are languishing in the bottom half of the table, it is possible that the player may view it as the right time to take the next step in his career.
Mateta would be a huge signing for Villa
Last season, the Villans utilised the January market well to put a fresh burst of energy into their European challenge, with loan signings such as Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio making a difference, in addition to permanent buy Donyell Malen. The truth is that Villa had a lot riding on reaching the Champions League places but missed out on goal difference on the final day.
This time around it could be a similar situation where an influx of new legs could be the inspiration needed to push for Europe, while attempting to win an elusive trophy such as the FA Cup or Emery’s favourite - the Europa League.
A proven Premier League striker ready to take his career onto the European stage, Mateta will get to experience that in the Conference League with Palace but may view a step up to the Europa as even more enticing. The chance to play under Emery and link up with Watkins could also be an attractive prospect for a man who has registered 31 goals and eight assists in his last just-over two Premier League seasons.
There is no doubt that if called upon, Mateta is a man who can be relied on to score the crucial goals needed to challenge on multiple fronts. Villa will feel that they have been hamstrung by PSR this summer and a January move for Mateta would be a clear indication that the Villans are worthy of their place amongst England’s elite - and are here to stay.
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