Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has plenty to think about this summer. While the riches of Champions League football won't be on offer next term, Villa are one of the favourites to win the Europa League.
Despite dropping into Europe’s secondary competition, this shouldn’t detract from Emery’s ability to bring the best possible players to Villa Park, that’s for sure.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts
With the future of Ollie Watkins uncertain heading into the transfer window, the Spaniard appears to be eyeing up a striker or two this summer…
Aston Villa’s search for a striker
Villa have shown interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, while more recently, Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea and Baris Yilmaz have also been touted with moves to the Midlands.
Youssef En-Nesyri-1
According to reports in Turkey earlier this week, Emery is looking to bring in Fenerbahçe's Youssef En-Nesyri to bolster his attacking options, with the report noting that the Premier League outfit are ready to make an offer for the £28m man.
Watkins has been linked with a move to Arsenal, and if Villa do decide to cash in on the 29-year-old this summer, En-Nesyri would be a superb replacement.
He might be even better than the Englishman.
Why Aston Villa must sign Youssef En-Nesyri
Watkins’ goal tally dropped from 27 during the 2023/24 season to 17 last term. Jhon Duran outshone him in the first half of the season, while the likes of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio delivered on a more consistent basis during the second half.
At 29, if a decent offer arrived this summer, Emery would be foolish not to cash in and use the cash to sign En-Nesyri.
Last season, the Moroccan forward scored an impressive tally of 30 goals for Fenerbahçe, grabbing seven assists also.
This is 13 goals more than Watkins managed last term, and it isn’t the only metric in which the 28-year-old has recorded better figures.
Indeed, when comparing the two with their respective league and European stats from last term, En-Nesyri has registered more shots (138 vs 99), shots per 90 (4.34 vs 2.17), a higher percentage of successful take-ons per 90 (37.5% vs 23.1%) and delivered more crosses (16 vs eight).
Comparing Watkins and En-Nesyri (League only)
Metric
Goals
Assists
Shots per game
Goal conversion percentage
Scoring frequency (minutes)
Big chances missed
Stats via Sofascore
This comparison proves that the Fenerbahçe striker was clearly the better of the two last term, and he could certainly carry that type of form into next season.
Football talent scout Jacek Kulig previously hailed the player as a “pure goalscorer” in 2021, and it appears as though nothing has changed.
Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri
He might only be a year younger than Watkins, but the Moroccan offers excellent value for money at just £28m.
If Emery wishes to take his side back into the Champions League next season, bringing someone in who is able to score 25–30 goals in the top flight is a must.
By buying En-Nesyri, the Spaniard could give the whole club a major boost.
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