Fate can be a cruel mistress. Last week, French publication L’Equipe provided an update on Frederic Guilbert’s Aston Villa future ahead of September’s transfer deadline.
The seldom-seen right-back, who’s last appearance for the Midland giants came over two years ago, is available for a cut-price £2 million after being forced to train with the reserves at Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground.
A number of Championship clubs, L’Equipe add, are eyeing up a deal late in the window. Guilbert, however, has little interest in dropping down a division, holding out for a top-flight club instead.
Of course, he could have avoided all this drama and uncertainty if he’d just accepted Fulham’s offer 12 months ago. Hindsight, as they say, really is a wonderful thing.
Aston Villa’s Frederic Guilbert turned down Fulham
“I had (offers from) Lille and Fulham as well,” Guilbert explained. “Just before signing in Alsace (joining Strasbourg on loan in August 2021), Fulham presented an offer that was difficult to refuse.
“I made the choice to accept Strasbourg. On my way to Strasbourg, Fulham gave me a new offer, even bigger. But, in my head, I was already at Strasbourg and I decided to maintain this course.”
Fulham, of course, were still a Championship club at the time so perhaps that is why Guilbert turned down the Cottagers in favour of a return to France.
The irony being, of course, that Fulham would storm to the second tier title. If Marco Silva’s side came calling again between now and the time the clock strikes 11pm on Thursday night, Guilbert would almost certainly snap their hand off at the wrist.
“I’m concentrating on what I have to do,” Guilbert said in April, his fine form in Alsace helping an unfancied Strasbourg side flirt with European qualification before falling just short.
“Today, I’m serene, quiet. I’m doing my thing and we’ll see where it takes me. I will change (clubs) this summer, that’s for sure.”
As the deadline looms, Guilbert may be feeling that little bit less ‘sure’ with every hour that passes.
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