Telegraph reporter John Percy claims Aston Villa are to recall Bertrand Traore from his loan at Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir – with Unai Emery keen to re-integrate the winger into his Villa side ahead of the second half of the season.
Traore, 27, went on loan to Basaksehir in the summer after Steven Gerrard decided he was surplus to requirements at Villa. It comes despite having a hand in 15 goals in 48 games in his first two years Villa, scoring eight, creating seven.
The Burkina Faso man, who has 68 caps for his country, has since been in Turkey. Playing 18 times for the SuperLig team, he has scored three goals and only laid on one assist. Not the most eye-catching of record since his loan move.
But, Emery has made the call to bring him back to the club and integrate him into the side. That is according to Percy, in what is a surprise move given he was down the pecking order under Gerrard – and his form in Turkish football.
Percy: Villa to recall Traore from loan at Basaksehir, despite poor form
Gerrard preferred not to play with width, in order to get the best out of the likes of Emi Buendia and Philippe Coutinho. Clearly, it did not work, despite giving the likes of Lucas Digne and Matty Cash the freedom of the flanks at Villa.
Emery is keen to use the width at Villa and bringing in another body out wide is on his mind. Instead of making a new signing, Villa are now set to cancel Traore’s loan halfway through his spell in Turkey. Traore is to get a second chance.
Traore’s long-term future does remain in the balance, with his deal at Villa set to end in June 2024. But, for the time being, he will be given the chance under Emery to prove his worth and who knows, perhaps, extend his Villa spell.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
