Cagliari manager Walter Mazzarri has told Aston Villa what they can get by signing reported transfer target Joao Pedro having sung the striker’s praises to DAZN, via TuttoMercatoWEB.
Reports by Homme du Match claim Steven Gerrard’s Birmingham side want to raid Serie A for Pedro in January. The Villans are determined to improve their creative options in the mid-season market and are preparing an offer to prise the Brazilian away from Sardinia.
Aston Villa consider improving Gerrard’s offensive weaponry a priority for his first window in charge. They spent big on new faces under Dean Smith in the summer, yet feel a need to add to £25m winger Leon Bailey, £25m striker Danny Ings and £33m ace Emiliano Buendia.
Aston Villa are considering offering Cagliari around €19m (£16m) to seal a January transfer for Pedro. The 29-year-old has been prolific so far this term in one of Serie A’s worse sides.
He has scored nine goals and laid on three assists over Gli Isolani’s 16 league fixtures. The Cagliari captain has also played the full 90-minutes in all but one game when he played 88.
Pedro’s efforts see him rank joint-fourth in the Golden Boot race, but Cagliari only sit 18th in Serie A. They have also only won once in 16 games after beating Sampdoria in October.
Cagliari boss Mazzarri lauds Aston Villa transfer target Pedro
Cagliari boss Mazzarri loves what Pedro has offered his Sardegna Arena outfit, amid Aston Villa’s transfer interest. The former Watford head coach has sung the striker’s praises, with Italy considering handing the Brazil-born forward his international breakthrough.
“Joao Pedro is a complete player, a leader, he can do everything as the centre-forward,” Mazzarri said. “I don’t know what choices he made as a young man, but he could have stayed in the top teams. I think he would be perfect for the way the national team plays.”
Pedro represented Brazil at Under-17 and U20 level earlier in his career, but never made his senior bow. Italy are now considering the forward as a possible option amid his form.
Gerrard will likely admire how Pedro has performed at Cagliari this season, as Aston Villa line up a transfer. Despite his side’s struggles, the striker has risen to the top in Serie A.
However, Cagliari will be extremely loath to lose their captain in January, knowing his form is vital to their survival.
Pedro’s goals against Spezia, Lazio, Sampdoria, Sassuolo and Torino have directly led to six of Gli Isolani’s 10 points. His assists have also contributed to one point against Salernitana.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
