Aston Villa could look to add further quality to their team before the window closesplaceholder image
Aston Villa could look to add further quality to their team before the window closes | Getty Images
Aston Villa have been linked with a bold swoop for a midfielder that last played in the Premier League back in 2019
Former Manchester City playmaker Brahim Diaz is reported to be the subject of late January interest from title hopefuls Aston Villa.
They’ve brought in two promising youngsters in Alysson Edward and Brian Madjo with the hope of developing them into future stars, and have also brought back two former fan favourites in striker Tammy Abraham and midfielder Douglas Luiz.
Brahim Diaz transfer latest
A number of Premier League clubs, including Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Tottenham, have made enquiries over Diaz’s availability following his return from AFCON with Morocco.
Diaz hit the headlines by scoring five times in seven appearances for the eventual runners-up while winning the Golden Boot and making the Team of the Tournament. However, his tournament as a whole was marred in the final when he missed the decisive penalty in the last minute of stoppage time by attempting a panenka.
Nevertheless, Diaz’s performances at the tournament have made him the subject of interest from a number of top clubs, with the Moroccan said to be ready to take on a new challenge away from the Spanish capital.
Why Aston Villa are reportedly interested in Diaz
Diaz, who was briefly on the books at Manchester City between 2015 and 2019, whilst only ever playing five times in the Premier League, is a hugely talented and versatile attacking midfielder capable of playing in the No.10 position and on either wing.
He joined Real Madrid in 2019 and has racked up over 140 appearances for the Galacticos, scoring 21 goals and providing 23 assists.
Sandwiched in between those games, he’s also enjoyed a productive three-season loan spell at AC Milan where he became a Serie A winner in 2021/22 - overall playing 124 times for the Italian heavyweights while scoring 18 and assisting 15 times.
The Malaga-born forward, who has scored 13 times in 22 caps for Morocco, is seen as the calibre of player that could help Villa in the final months of the season and boost their chances of silverware. He’d fill the void left by Guessand as and would provide a different dimension to Villa’s offensive options.
Real Madrid are understood to be reluctant to sell Diaz this month, and it remains to be seen whether Villa or another English club will test that resolve.
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