West Brom like Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba but the Premier League’s forgotten man is close to joining Championship rivals Luton Town on loan instead, according to the Daily Mail.
It won’t attract too many headlines, of course, but Aston Villa deserve credit for managing to get some of their high-earning misfits off the books during the January transfer window. Even if some are only departing on a short-term basis.
Frederic Guilbert had his contract terminated before returning to Strasbourg. He was joined in Alsace by Morgan Sanson. Nakamba, meanwhile, is set for a medical at play-off dark horses Luton Town.
Luton beat West Brom to Aston Villa’s Marvelous Nakamba
The Zimbabwe international should undergo a medical at Kenilworth Road today. Luton, sitting seventh and just three points off Middlesbrough in third, have fought off competition from Carlos Corberan’s rejuvenated West Bromwich Albion outfit.
In a further blow to the Baggies, West Brom could also miss out on Lewis O’Brien.
Nottingham Forest, the Express and Star say, are demanding that a £10 million purchase clause be included in O’Brien’s contract. West Brom cannot rubber stamp such a deal, but it seems that Sheffield United can. The Blades already look all-but certain to be a Premier League club again next season, and can therefore be confident of being able to afford an eight-figure sum for the one-time Huddersfield Town enforcer.
But it’s not all bad news. Nathaniel Chalobah, another seldom-seen Premier League midfielder, should arrive from Fulham (The Athletic).
‘Look for new challenges’
Chalobah, like Nakamba, has barely featured this season. The latter has been told that he is free to leave Villa Park too; Unai Emery opening the door for the £11 million signing from Club Brugge to embark upon a fresh start.
“He should hold his head up and look for new challenges elsewhere, if possible,” says George Antipas, a former caretaker manager for the Zimbabwe national team.
“He needs to get his confidence back. At 29, he can still play to his best and be at the peak of his career. A good footballer at that level always finds ways to get out of these situations. I’m just hoping for the best for Marvelous.
“It’s a sad development. Especially when you consider that Marvelous, not so long ago, was the mainstay of this team under Gerrard. But we must also understand that Emery is a new coach. It’s normal that he comes in with new ideas. And possibly a new set of players that he believes will help him achieve his goals.
“It can be heart-breaking for a player. Suddenly, you cannot make the matchday squad and you are being told to leave.”
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