Championship outfit Aston Villa are reportedly close to signing exciting winger Anwar El-Ghazi on loan from Ligue 1 outfit Lille.
Ajax is renowned across the world as something of an elite finishing school for some of the most exciting young footballing talents in Europe. But since leaving Amsterdam in 2017, Anwar El Ghazi’s career has stalled.
The skilful winger looked every inch the latest Ajax-built starlet when starring in the Eredivisie, boasting speed, power and an eye for goal. But his £6 million move to Lille a year-and-a-half ago hasn’t exactly gone to plan with Les Dogues finishing just one point above the relegation zone last season, and El Ghazi starting just 19 Ligue 1 games.
But if Aston Villa get the best out of this two-time Dutch international, they will have a player capable of taking the Championship by storm.
According to L’Equipe, Aston Villa have entered discussions about signing El Ghazi on loan with an option to buy. The 6ft 2ins attacker is no longer part of Christophe Galtier’s plans at Lille, who need to raise around £25 million in player sales before the end of the month.
El Ghazi is just 23 years of age and, for all the criticism of his performances in France, he still scored and assisted eight goals in Ligue 1 in 2018/19. It is far too soon to write him off and Aston Villa fans think they could have a star on their hands.
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