LOSC Lille are now rivalling interest from RC Strasbourg Alsace and Troyes in the transfer of Aston Villa outcast Frederic Guilbert. The right-back wishes above all to go back to Ligue 1.
That is according to Foot Mercato, which reports Guilbert is now heading for the exit doors at Villa Park. He is a forgotten man at the claret-and-blue club having played three times in the past 901 days. Despite joining in 2019, the 28-year-old has played 32 matches for Villa.
His past three appearances for the Birmingham side have also come in the EFL Cup in 2020 and 2021. Guilbert made his only outings of the 2020/21 campaign against Bristol City and Stoke City. He then shone at AFC Barrow in August 2021 between loan deals to Strasbourg.
Dean Smith sent Guilbert to Strasbourg in January 2021 for a six-month spell in France. Yet despite scoring and assisting at Barrow, the former Villans boss sent him back to the Stade de la Meinau for a year. Birmingham Live reports he has trained with Villa’s U21s this term.
Now, Strasbourg are again exploring a transfer for Guilbert with his contract at Aston Villa set to expire in June. But Lille are also keen on a deal for the £40k-a-week full-back. He had four assists over 33 Ligue 1 appearances through the 2021/22 season on loan to Le Racing.
Lille join Strasbourg for Guilbert after Aston Villa told him to find a transfer
Strasbourg are keeping tabs on Guilbert’s situation at Aston Villa after his efforts there in a loan transfer. They also sit 19th in the French top-flight table after 18 games this season on 12 points. Yet 2020/21 champions Lille, who now rank in seventh, could pose a real threat.
Reports by L’Equipe also note that Troyes are interested in Guilbert’s transfer from Aston Villa this month. The full-back ‘wishes above all’ to return to Ligue 1 to end his time in the wilderness in Birmingham. It also adds that Troyes and Strasbourg are talking to Guilbert.
Championship clubs are also keen on a deal yet face a fraught pursuit given Guilbert’s wish to return to France. But the finances involved will not hinder Strasbourg as reports by Alsa Sports add the Villans have agreed to tear up the Valognes-born dynamo’s deal in January.
Aston Villa sporting director Johan Lange has also already told Guilbert to leave the club in January, per Birmingham Live. The claret-and-blue chief told the defender and his agent in November to find a new home. He was clear that Unai Emery would not be recalling him.
Steven Gerrard had frozen Guilbert out upon the defender’s return to England from a loan spell Smith sanctioned. It was also under Smith that Aston Villa secured Guilbert’s transfer from Stade Malherbe Caen in January 2019 for £5m. He stayed in France until the summer.
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