PSV Eindhoven have reportedly put Anwar El Ghazi up for sale less than 12 months after signing him from Premier League giants Aston Villa.
The former Ajax forward’s outstanding spell of form during the Christmas of 2020 was, in hindsight, the exception rather than the rule. Nominated for the Premier League’s Player of the Month award after scoring five times over the festive period, Anwar El Ghazi has never really come close to hitting those heights again since those lockdown days.
Big things were expected when El Ghazi returned to the Netherlands from Aston Villa in August last year. And while a tally of eight goals in just 12 Eredivisie starts is not to be sniffed at, reports suggesting that PSV have placed the Dutch international on the transfer list after just one season at the Philips Stadium is probably a reflection of the fact that – following the emergence of Johan Bakayoko and the arrival of Malik Tillman – opportunities are likely to be few and far between for El Ghazi in 2023/24.
Former Aston Villa man up for sale again
According to De Telegraaf, PSV want just £1.7 million for El Ghazi. There is interest from Besiktas and Olympiakos, per Eindhovens Dagblad.
Coach Peter Bosz – who worked with El Ghazi at Ajax – is reluctant to force him out the door. But nor will he stand in his way should one of his suitors step up their interest.
“I spoke with Anwar at the beginning of the season,” former Dortmund manager Bosz says. “I told him that if he trains like he is doing now, I have absolutely no problem with him staying with us.”
El Ghazi spent four years at Villa Park, joining on loan initially back in 2018. He was part of the team which secured promotion back to the Premier League under Dean Smith.
“I didn’t want to leave, I really wanted to stick with Villa,” El Ghazi told The Athletic.
“I really loved England, I made some great friends. When I was on English soil again in the Europa League, it was like I was back home. I miss it a lot. And, yes, I miss Villa.
“Last season, I should have had more chances. In the first training session under (Steven) Gerrard, he was trying to explain how he likes to play. A lot of thoughts were already in my head. I knew I had to get ready to not be wanted.
“I was trying to adapt to the way that he plays. And, of course I can do it, but naturally, I am a winger. I like to stay wide, put crosses in, get into one-v-one situations and then maybe come inside. But he wanted you to start inside.
“It was different. That’s what I struggled with.”
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