Ahmed Elmohamady is in the final year of his contract at Aston Villa.
Aston Villa enjoyed a quiet end to the transfer window, keeping hold of all their key players whilst opting not to bring anyone else in after a busy summer.
Dean Smith’s squad is now settled at least until January, with 12 new signings brought in over the summer, and some are now playing for their futures.
The likes of James Chester and Jonathan Kodjia are both out of contract next summer, and the same goes for right back Ahmed Elmohamady.
He’s the only one of the three to have started against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, and whilst he made an early error, he eventually turned in a decent display.
This is now a key season for the 31-year-old. Firstly, that contract situation means he will need to show he’s a Premier League full back, or he may be on his way in 2020.
Elmohamady isn’t short of competition either, as Frenchman Frederic Guilbert is breathing down his neck having arrived from Caen. He starred in pre-season, offering pace and attacking ability, and Elmohamady will have to work hard to keep him out of the side.
There has already been interest in Elhmohamady, as The Sun claimed that Newcastle boss Steve Bruce wanted to sign the Egyptian having already worked together at Sunderland, Hull City and Villa.
No deal went through, with Newcastle signing Emil Krafth instead. Bruce may still hold an interest in Elmohamady, but a move to St James’ Park would surely rely on DeAndre Yedlin and Javi Manquillo moving on. That doesn’t seem all that unlikely, with neither particularly impressive at St James’ Park.
With a first Premier League campaign since the 2016-17 season, a contract in its final stages, interest from elsewhere and major competition for his place, Elmohamady faces a key season – and it may dictate where he is playing next season.
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