Aston Villa are now prepared to make a £52m offer for a “baller” in the January transfer window, with Unai Emery personally keen.
Villa make major statement in dramatic Arsenal victory
Villa sent out a message to the rest of the Premier League by picking up a dramatic late victory against league leaders Arsenal on Saturday afternoon, with Emiliano Buendia firing home in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win.
In the wake of the result, which leaves Emery’s side just three points behind the Gunners, Mikel Arteta has admitted the Villans are genuine Premier League title contenders.
When asked whether the Villa Park outfit can challenge, Arteta said: “They are. When you look at where they are, the way they play, they have beaten some big teams, especially at home. Everybody is going to have to play everybody, so at the moment they are where they are and we are there as well.”
That said, it is still early days, given that we aren’t even at the half-way stage of the season just yet, and Emery is eager to bring in some new reinforcements, who could boost his side’s title push, during the January transfer window.
That is according to a report from Spain, which states the Aston Villa manager is now personally keen on signing Athletic Club star Mikel Jauregizar next month, but a deal could be on the expensive side.
Villa are prepared to offer up to €60m (£52m) to secure Jauregizar’s signature, with the Spanish club reluctant to sanction a departure unless they receive an ‘irresistible’ bid.
Emery believes the central midfielder would be an ideal fit in his system, and the Villans are now determined to get a deal done, so much so that they may even be willing to make an even higher bid.
"Baller" Jauregizar impressing in the Champions League
If Villa are going to make a genuine push to win the Premier League title, they may need to bring in some new players with experience at the highest level, and the 22-year-old has been impressing in the Champions League this season, chipping in with two assists in five matches.
Hailed as an “underrated baller” by scout Ben Mattinson, the maestro is also strong at winning back possession, averaging 2.87 tackles per 90 over the past year, placing him in the 89th percentile, when compared to other midfielders.
Aston Villa now want to tempt Chelsea summer signing with surprise January move
It would be a head turner.
ByEmilio Galantini 6 days ago
Jauregizar is clearly a very well-rounded midfielder, capable of making an impact at both ends of the pitch, and Aston Villa could strengthen their title chances by getting a deal done in January.