Nicolai Vallys was scouted by Premier League giants Aston Villa and Manchester United this weekend with Southampton also showing an interest in Brondby’s Denmark international.
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Nicolai Vallys, six weeks after his 27th birthday, might be a name you’ve heard little of before, but expect that to change. The attacking midfielder is in the form of his life at Brondby. And, after making his debut for the Danish national team over the summer, he could soon be leaving his home country for the very first time with a host of high-profile clubs from some of Europe’s major leagues showing an interest.
Aston Villa and Southampton in Nicolai Vallys race
According to Ekstra Bladet, Wolfsburg, Real Betis, Marseille and PSV Eindhoven all scouted Vallys during Sunday’s 2-1 triumph over Nordsjaelland. Ditto Premier League giants Manchester United and Aston Villa, not to mention a Southampton side looking to ensure their return to the Championship is little more than a flying visit.
Vallys scored his seventh goal in 14 games against Nordsjaelland.
Brondby coach Jesper Sorensen is losing no sleep over the future of his talismanic number seven just yet, however, even if reports of interest from elsewhere has come as little surprise.
“I don’t go about my day worrying about whether we can keep Vallys,” Sorensen tells Ekstra Bladet. “But if there is someone else who thinks Vallys is more talented than (a club like Brondby), then I can really understand that.”
A Nicolo Zaniolo replacement at Villa?
Vallys, a highly-technical footballer who’s elegance belies his rangy, 6ft 2ins frame, has made a name for himself in Scandinavia for his ability to pop up late in the penalty area and finish off chances, almost Frank Lampard-esque in nature.
“Of course, it was a fantastic goal,” Sorensen adds after Vallys found the net for the first time since August this weekend. “I was standing at just the right angle where I could see that it flew all the way up into the corner.
“It’s great that he scored again. It’s been some time. He has been good all autumn and he played a nice game.”
It remains to be seen how serious the interest is from Villa and co, with Unai Emery’s side potentially identifying Vallys as a long-term replacement for on-loan Galatasaray forward Nicolo Zaniolo.
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