Jordan Amavi has been in disastrous form in recent months so will Aston Villa replace him with Fleetwood Town’s Amari’i Bell?
As Aston Villa fans will tell you, the ‘selling club’ label is not a popular one. Therefore, owner Tony Xia was rightfully praised when he refused to even consider selling left-back Jordan Amavi in January – despite receiving a mammoth £25 million offer from China, as reported by The Guardian.
Following the dispiriting past departures of James Milner, Ashley Young, Gareth Barry and co, it appeared that Villa were taking a stand by not letting Amavi be snared away before his peak.
Yet, five months on, it is fair to say that Villa may be a little more receptive to offers. Since the club turned down that huge bid in the New Year, Amavi has been a shadow of his former self.
The full-back who stood out in the Premier League before an horrific knee injury left him on the sidelines for a year has been found wanting in the Championship. A 3-1 home defeat to Fulham in April highlighted his galling defensive deficiencies.
As such, the safe and sturdy Neil Taylor now appears to be Villa’s first-choice left-back ahead of the thrilling yet flawed France youth international linked incessantly with a return home with Marseille.
Out the door?
And, if latest transfer reports are anything to go by, Villa may be planning for life without Amavi. The Blackpool Gazette claims that Fleetwood Town’s Amari’i Bell is on their radar after a fine season in League One.
Amari’i Bell was excellent as Fleetwood Town reached the Play-Offs
Villa clearly have no need for three orthodox left-backs. Therefore, if Bell arrives one will surely leave. And that will not be Taylor, signed just five months ago from Swansea City.
The Telegraph claimed recently that Financial Fair Play restrictions mean Villa will have to sell before they can buy this summer. And receiving a handsome sum for their prized asset would give manager Steve Bruce plenty of funds to reinvest this summer.
Therefore, all signs point to Amavi’s exit.
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