Aston Villa are keen to sign Marseille winger Florian Thauvin this summer, according to Tutto Mercato Web.
Thauvin has emerged as a huge talent in France, and Villa are suddenly said to have shown ‘great interest’ in landing the wide-man.
Thauvin has had one ill-fated spell in England before, where he failed to make any sort of positive impact at Newcastle United.
However, at the age of 27 he is now more refined, and may be more ready for a Premier League move.
Villa’s chances of landing Thauvin seem fairly limited as it stands, as the winger apparently wants Champions League football.
However, Dean Smith may be hoping to persuade him to move to the Midlands, if Villa can agree a fee with Marseille.
The Ligue 1 club are thought to be under pressure to sell players this summer, and Thauvin is one of their most saleable assets.
The winger missed almost all of last season with injury, but in the year before he had scored 16 goals and claimed eight assists in 33 league games.
During that season Thauvin ended up very frustrated, with the Mail reporting how he called his own side ‘rubbish’ after they lost a crucial match against Lyon.
“I’m tired, but we’ve been poor this season,” Thauvin said in 2019.
“It’s the same story every season. I’m fed up. For a top-three finish, it’s over. And even if we get into Champions League, what’s the point? We’re rubbish.”
Thauvin’s annoyance is unlikely to have subsided, after injury scuppered his chances of playing at all last year.
But a move to Villa could provide him with a fresh start, if Smith is able to persuade the wide-man that the switch would be a good one for him.
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