Anwar El Ghazi may have played his final match for Aston Villa already, as Birmingham Live report the forward is likely to leave regardless of Everton pursuing his permanent transfer.
Steven Gerrard shipped El Ghazi out on loan during the mid-season market, but he is yet to establish a presence at Goodison Park. He moved to Merseyside just three days before the Blues sacked Rafa Benitez and would hire Frank Lampard and neither has so far been fond.
Benitez left the Dutchman on the bench in defeat at Norwich in their only fixture together at Everton. Lampard has also only handed the 26-year-old 11 minutes altogether over two substitute appearances from seven Premier League games. He was cup tied for the FA Cup.
El Ghazi now faces a likely return to Aston Villa when his loan transfer with Everton ends in the summer. But his Villa Park future is just as dreary, as Gerrard will strive to sell the two-cap international whose ‘incredible’ dribbling Dean Smith hailed during his time in charge.
Gerrard is keen to rid the Villa Park ranks of any deadwood this summer to bolster his war chest. El Ghazi is prime candidate to be sold as the forward enters into the final year of his £31k-a-week deal in June, as well. So, Villa are eager to avoid him leaving for free in 2023.
Anwar El Ghazi likely to leave Aston Villa regardless of Everton transfer option
El Ghazi could now force his way into the shop window with Everton and help Aston Villa in the transfer market. The Toffees have lost Andros Townsend for the rest of the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Yet El Ghazi may remain down Lampard’s order.
Benitez staying on in January may not have been a blessing for El Ghazi at Goodison Park, either. The Athletic reported the Spaniard was reluctant to sanction a permanent transfer in January with Villa wanting £15m and having not targeted him before Lucas Digne’s exit.
El Ghazi only became an option for Everton during discussions with Aston Villa for Digne’s transfer. And even then, the discussions were between Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri and renowned agent Kia Joorabchian. So, it is unlikely Everton look to keep him in the summer.
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