Unai Emery tells Aston Villa to complete shock signing of big Tottenham flop as he eyes another masterclass
Aston Villa could surprisingly bring in a player who flopped at Tottenham this summer after Unai Emery told club chiefs to pursue him, according to a report.
Emery has done a fantastic job at Villa since joining the club in November last year. He has taken the club way up the Premier League table and they now occupy sixth spot, meaning they are in contention to qualify for next season’s Europa League.
Emery has gotten the best out of striker Ollie Watkins, as the Englishman has scored 11 goals in his last 13 league matches. The tactician is also helping other players such as Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia thrive in his 4-2-3-1 system.
Emery is currently analysing how he can make Villa better in the summer transfer window. He has landed on Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe as one potential target, with the Englishman struggling to get into the starting eleven at the Emirates.
But Smith Rowe is not the only midfielder Emery is interested in. According to the Daily Mail, he is also keen to complete a shock move for Tottenham outcast Giovani Lo Celso.
The Argentine has struggled to make a serious impact at Spurs since joining in August 2019. Despite starting life in England well, he soon fell down the pecking order.
Lo Celso was shipped out to Villarreal on loan in January last year and he is still at the Spanish club. However, Lo Celso could be given another opportunity in the Premier League as Emery is keen to snap him up.
The report reveals how Emery has told Villa officials to keep tabs on Lo Celso’s situation and to pounce if he becomes available for transfer this summer.
Emery gunning for Villa reunion
That is highly likely to happen as the 27-year-old’s Villarreal loan will soon end and Spurs will want to get him off their books permanently.
While it will come as a surprise for Villa fans that their club has been linked with Lo Celso, it makes sense that Emery wants him. The report labels Lo Celso a ‘favourite’ of Emery’s following their time together at Villarreal.
The manager helped the Spurs flop get his career back on track last season. And he has kept a watching brief on his performances ever since.
Emery was particularly impressed by Lo Celso’s recent display against Sevilla. While Villarreal lost the La Liga clash 2-1, Lo Celso looked sharp as he was used in a false nine role and then in the midfield.
The former Paris Saint-Germain player would likely jump at the chance to reunite with Emery at Villa. He knows that the manager trusts him and he would therefore be in line to play often.
It will be interesting to see how much Spurs will hold out for if Villa enter negotiations for Lo Celso. They will probably want to recoup all of the £27.2m they originally paid Real Betis for him.
However, Villa will point out his struggles in England in an attempt to bring that price down.
