Cagliari were expecting to sign Defrel from Serie A rivals Roma but Premier League newcomers Aston Villa have allegedly just complicated matters.
Aston Villa have made an eleventh hour attempt to make Roma striker Gregoire Defrel their latest new signing but, according to Calciomercato, Cagliari are currently leading the race.
Despite the addition of Egypt international Trezeguet on Wednesday and the impending arrival of Manchester City midfielder Douglas Luiz, Aston Villa have not finished yet.
The Premier League newcomers have spent around £100 million on new players this summer but there’s still room at Villa Park for another centre-forward. After Wesley Moraes, there is a shortage of real Premier League quality strikers with Keinan Davis and Scott Hogan waiting in the wings.
So that is perhaps why the Midland giants have shown an interest in tigerish Frenchman Defrel, who joined Roma two years ago from Sassuolo for £16 million, according to Goal.
An unpredictable and versatile forward, Defrel struggled to settle at the Stadio Olimpico but he offered a reminder of his talents during a loan spell at Sampdoria last season, scoring 12 goals for the Blucherchiati.
Calciomercato claims that Cagliari are hoping to tie up a £10.7 million deal for the former Parma and Cesena forward though Aston Villa’s interest has complicated matters.
Cagliari’s president, Tomasso Giulini, is expected to hold talks with Defrel today in order to convince him to reject the chance a move to England.
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