Harold Moukoudi could be on his way out of Ligue 2 side Le Havre with Aston Villa keen to bring the defender to the Championship in the January transfer window.
The Harold Moukoudi to Aston Villa rumours have emerged again this month.
Villa were keen to bring France’s latest defensive starlet to English football in the summer but Moukoudi turned them down, telling France Bleu that he didn’t think he’d fit into the direct style of play employed by manager Steve Bruce.
But with Dean Smith now at the helm, Villa are playing far more technical, expansive football these days that should suit the ball-playing Moukoudi down to the ground. France Football report that he is still a target for the Championship promotion hopefuls.
And Villa could be in luck.
Because L’Equipe reports that the 21-year-old has been unwilling to sign a new contract with his current deal due to expire at the end of the season. As a result, Le Havre’s chiefs have ordered manager Oswald Tanchot to stop selecting the talented centre-back with Moukoudi omitted from the Coupe de la Ligue win against Bordeaux this week.
And it is understood that Le Havre want to sell him this month rather than lose him on a free in the summer.
According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa were willing to pay £7 million for Moukoudi last year but it remains to be seen whether he could be available for a little cheaper now.
Villa face considerable competition though with Borussia Dortmund understood to be interested.
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