Brentford striker Neal Maupay, who was reportedly attracting the interest of Aston Villa, is set to seemingly sign a contract with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Aston Villa have been dealt a major transfer blow because reported target Neal Maupay is set to sign for Brighton, according to a report.
French outlet L’Equipe have claimed that Brentford hitman Maupay is set to sign a four-year contract with the Seagulls after being followed by a number of Premier League clubs including Aston Villa and Sheffield United.
Villa have already broken their transfer record on a striker this summer when they secured the services of Club Brugge forward Wesley Moraes.
But despite his capture, it seems as though Dean Smith, who worked wonders with Maupay during their time at Griffin Park, still wants to add more attacking options to his front line.
Along with Wesley, Scott Hogan, Jonathan Kodjia and Keinan Davis are the other players that can occupy those forward roles for Villa as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.
It isn’t a surprise that teams from England’s top-flight are interested in Maupay because of how prolific and devastating he has been in the second tier in recent seasons.
Villa witnessed it first hand last season because he netted two crucial goals against the Midlands club. The first one came at Villa Park when Smith was still the Brentford manager.
That thunderous one touch and first time strike came during a well-deserved 2-2 draw for the London club. Then in February, by this time Smith had switched clubs, he went one better by scoring a wonderful curling effort in the last-minute which helped the Bees secure all three points.
But now it seems as though Villa may have to search for another hitman to fill their attacking ranks days before Thursday’s deadline as Smith will be preparing for their opening Premier League clash against Tottenham this Saturday.
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