Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that Unai Emery has made Villarreal attacker Arnaut Danjuma a priority for his Aston Villa side this month – despite rivals Everton opening talks with the La Liga club to sign the Dutch attacker.
Danjuma, 25, joined Villarreal from Bournemouth in the summer of 2021. In his first season, under the guidance of Unai Emery, he starred. In just 14 games, he scored 16 goals and laid on four assists. This season, his form has dried up.
Still, scoring six goals in 17 appearances. But he has certainly done enough to attract interest and Villa are keen. Emery is desperate to bring the Nigeria-born Netherlands ace to Villa. He has made Danjuma a priority at Villa this month.
However, they will face competition. Cadena SER in Spain claim Everton have opened talks with Villarreal regarding a move for the £45million-rated star. Jones reports that he is at the top of the list for Emery, as he looks to strengthen.
“Danjuma was first-choice in the sense that he was the first name they wanted to explore, and they have been doing that,” Jones told Give Me Sport this week when discussing Villa’s interest in a reunion between Danjuma and Emery.
Jones: Emery has made Danjuma a priority for Aston Villa, Everton in talks
A move to Aston Villa will certainly tempt him more than Everton at the minute. Everton might have been longer in the Premier League – but Frank Lampard’s Toffees look set for a second successive relegation scrap in England’s top tier.
Villa look much more solid. Another season in which they are likely to finish in mid-table mediocrity and perhaps, a late push for Europe. But with Emery in place, you would expect Villa to have a much better chance of getting Danjuma.
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