Ruud van Nistelrooy believes Anwar El Ghazi will be a ‘fantastic addition’ to his PSV Eindhoven side with the Aston Villa winger on his way out of the Premier League, speaking to De Telegraaf.
News of El Ghazi’s impending £2.5 million switch to the Eredivisie giants will almost certainly increase the speculation surrounding Cody Gakpo’s future heading into the final few hours of the summer transfer window.
But those suggesting El Ghazi is a replacement for PSV’s homegrown talisman are missing the point.
The Eindhoved-based need attacking reinforcements, regardless of whether Gakpo stays or goes. Noni Madueke and Yorbe Vertessen are struggling with fitness problems, while the absence of returning targetman Luuk de Jong further limits Van Nistelrooy’s options in the final third.
As such, El Ghazi’s adaptability could come in very handy indeed.
Aston Villa will sell Anwar El Ghazi to PSV Eindhoven
“The arrival of El Ghazi looks very good. He’s not here yet, but hopefully soon,” says Manchester United legend Van Nistelrooy, who’s PSV side were dumped out of the Champions League by Rangers last week, the usually-efficient Gakpo enduring a rare off-night in the second leg.
“He can play well on the left, as a striker and from the right. With his qualities, he is a fantastic addition. (A player) we rate highly.”
According to De Telegraaf, PSV will pay £2.5 million up front for El Ghazi. The former Ajax forward is set to sign a three-year deal that will keep him at the Phillips Stadium until 2025.
Aston Villa have successfully offloaded fellow misfit Bertrand Traore this month too. Morgan Sanson, Frederic Guilbert and Marvelous Nakamba are also available for transfer ahead of September’s deadline.
French publication L’Equipe say that Guilbert, who hasn’t donned claret-and-blue in over two years, could leave for a cut-price £2 million. A number of Championship clubs are keen. Guilbert, however, is keen to join a club offering top-flight football instead.
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