Unai Emery wanted to sign Real Madrid defender Nacho Fernandez at Villarreal and could return for the La Liga champion in his new role as head coach of Premier League outfit Aston Villa, according to Spanish publication Sport.
Who says loyalty is dead in the modern game?
Nacho has received his fair share of offers over the last decade or so. But, despite rarely ever being more than a useful back-up at the Santiago Bernabeu, the 22-time Spain international has never been tempted by the prospect of a new challenge elsewhere, despite the prospect of more regular first-team football away from Madrid.
Now, at the age of 32 and with his contract expiring in July, there has been a change in Nacho’s mindset. He’s started only one La Liga game all season long.
And, with his 33rd birthday only a couple of months away, Nacho will be fully aware of the fact that, if he doesn’t move now, then an excellent club career could fizzle out rather depressingly.
After so many years putting the club first, surely now its time for Nacho do something for himself.
Aston Villa want Nacho Fernandez from Real Madrid
The opportunity to join Unai Emery at Aston Villa, then, may be one Nacho is willing to consider. The former Arsenal, PSG and Sevilla boss wanted to work with the five-time Champions League winner at Villarreal, and could now benefit from the pulling power of the Premier League and a wealth of transfer funds at Villa Park.
One of the most versatile, committed and underrated footballers of his generation; Nacho has won almost everything there is to win at Real Madrid. In addition to five Champions League medals, he has three La Liga titles, four Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups, three Supercopa de Espanas and a single Copa del Rey crown.
Nacho also scored one of the greatest goals in recent World Cup history; a sublime, outside of the foot strike in the 3-3 draw with Portugal in Russia.
According to reports, Nacho is not the only La Liga stopper on Emery’s radar. The Basque boss’ former Villarreal favourite Pau Torres is another option for Aston Villa.
“Pau Torres is an amazing player,” Emery told Football London last year. “I think he’s top. I’ve been a coach at Sevilla, PSG, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre-back like Pau Torres.
“I think he’s going to play at the highest level. He’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in Europe very soon.”
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