Aston Villa have received a surprise link with a Real Madrid star ahead of the January transfer window.placeholder image
Aston Villa have received a surprise link with a Real Madrid star ahead of the January transfer window. | Getty Images
Aston Villa have been linked with a surprise player ahead of the January transfer window
Aston Villa have seen a return to form in recent weeks, but their barren start to the season in front of goal will not be forgotten quickly as the Villans took until September 21st to score a league goal.
The burden on Ollie Watkins up front remains a large one, as the Villans have struggled to replace the goals scored by the likes of Jhon Duran and Marcus Rashford at various stages of last campaign.
As Villa seek to finish in the European places once again come the end of the season in addition to going far in the Europa League, it may be crucial that they secure more firepower up front in the January transfer window, with one surprise target emerging.
Aston Villa linked with Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia
According to reports by Sport Witness, the Villans are one of several clubs interested in 21-year-old Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia, who has struggled for minutes under Xabi Alonso so far this term.
The Spaniard rose to prominence with four goals in six matches in the Club World Cup, but has been little more than a bit-part option off the bench this season so far for Los Blancos’ star-studded attacking unit. Having played just 105 minutes of action, a loan move might be on the cards in January if the player decides he is ‘keen on changing clubs’.
AC Milan are cited to be a front-runner in the race for his signature, but several Premier League clubs are interested including the Villans, West Ham United and Fulham. La Liga sides Valencia and Villarreal are also thought to be ‘assessing the feasibility’ of a mid-season loan move. Garcia graduated from the Real Madrid academy, scoring 25 goals for their B team in the Spanish third tier last season. Updates on the future of the ‘hot prospect’ are expected in the coming weeks.
‘Reminds me of Raul’ - Alonso gives high praise to Garcia
Garcia is extremely highly thought of at the Bernabeu, none more so than by his manager, who praised the 2004-born star during the Club World Cup with a Los Blancos comparison of the highest order.
“I knew him well. I’ve been following Castilla a lot. I knew a lot of Castilla players. To be honest, I am not surprised. He is a typical number 9. He reminds me of Raul," Alonso said. “Garcia’s always in the right position and always waiting for the chance. His work ethic is great.
"The players from Castilla — they get a chance and they fight for it. That’s what he’s doing. We need him more. We want him to be here and we’re happy for him.”
With that in mind, it is difficult to envisage why Garcia has not been given more of a chance to show what he is about in La Liga in the early months of this season. While his Los Blancos future might remain bright, a loan move could be the necessary next step in his career. Villa Park could be the perfect place for him to ply his trade and compete across multiple competitions, and he in turn might be exactly what the Villans need.
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