New Parma midfielder Wylan Cyprien has brushed off questions about other interest after reports claimed Aston Villa launched a bid for him, Tuttomercatoweb report.
The 25-year-old midfielder scored or assisted 13 goals for Nice last season, prompting heavy interest in his services during the summer transfer window.
According to L’Equipe, Newcastle United wanted him.
Fellow French editorial Footmercato cited Villa as suitors, claiming the Villans had launched a £16 million bid as they sought to beat Premier League competition to his signature.
But Cyprien has brushed off such speculation during his Parma press conference.
“As for the other teams [being interested], the question no longer arises. Why did I choose Parma? To discover Serie A through the game of a team like Parma. I don’t have an answer [to stay long-term], if I could foresee the future, I would have told you everything. Let’s go slowly and then we’ll see,” Cyprien explained.
Villa narrowly escaped relegation back to the Championship last season, staying up on the final day of the campaign following a 1-1 draw at West Ham United.
But this term, Villa have started on fire, culminating in a 7-2 win over Liverpool last weekend.
Dean Smith’s side spent big on the likes of Ollie Watkins, Bertrand Traore, Emiliano Martinez and Matty Cash, splashing out on more than £70 million.
One area Villa didn’t strengthen [ablet bringing in the attack-minded Ross Barkley on loan] was in midfield. However, an injury free John McGinn is almost like a new signing.
Cyprien, 25, is very much a box-to-box midfielder. But perhaps Villa felt they ultimately didn’t need him, with Douglas Luiz also proving to be a key figure for the side.
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