The left-back could sign up for one of the most progressive projects in Europe – so there doesn’t appear to be much hope for Aston Villa in the long term.
Aston Villa left-back Jordan Amavi has rejected the opportunity to join Marseille this month, the Birmingham Mail reports, but the Midlands club must surely show signs of progression if they are to keep him beyond this season.
The in-demand full-back has barely missed a beat since returning from a year on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury, but the level of his performance, coupled with the fact he is plying his trade in the second tier, means reported suitors appear to have identified an opportunity to bring him back to the big time.
And the Birmingham Mail reports that Marseille remain interested in the France under-23 international, going as far as to prepare a contract in advance.
However, they add that Amavi rejected the Ligue 1 giants’ approach such is his desire to remain in England for the rest of the season and build up his fitness.
Now that doesn’t exactly suggest that he is planning a long-term future at Villa Park – more that he doesn’t feel this is the right time to move on.
However, despite the vast sums spent rejuvenating the squad, Villa are mired in mid-table of the second tier and that, barring a dramatic surge of form, appears to be where they’ll stay for the remainder of the season.
On the flipside, Marseille, European Champions in 1993 and one of the biggest clubs in French football, are on the up, new owner Frank McCourt promising to invest almost £200 million to “put our club back on the road to glory”, according to the BBC.
The fact that they are preparing a third bid for Dimitri Payet, as reported by Sky Sports, proves that this exciting project has legs. Therefore, being headhunted by one of Europe’s most ambitious clubs is bound to elicit temptation.
Villa must accept the fact that, if things stay as they are, Amavi won’t stick around forever.
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