REPORTER SAYS ASTON VILLA DEAL IS ‘DONE’ AS EMERY LANDS £26.5M STAR

REPORTER SAYS ASTON VILLA DEAL IS ‘DONE’ AS EMERY LANDS £26.5M STAR

Aston Villa’s pursuit of Galatasaray ace Nicolo Zaniolo is reportedly a ‘done’ deal with the Premier League outfit potentially stumping up as much as £26.5 million for the Italy international.

During the 2021/22 season – in which Nicolo Zaniolo fired Roma to UEFA Conference League glory with the only goal in the final against Feyenoord – Giallorossi legend Zbigniew Boniek expressed his belief that the one-time Inter Milan starlet had a future as a centre-forward rather than a central midfielder.

 

It seems that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, however, does not share Boniek’s assessment of the elegant yet powerful Italy international.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s 5-1 humbling at Newcastle United, Emery indicated that he planned to use Zaniolo as a ‘number seven’ or a ‘number ten’ rather than a ‘number nine’. Zaniolo will arrive not to provide competition for Ollie Watkins, but to fill a void created by Emi Buendia’s serious knee injury.

 

Aston Villa agree Nicolo Zaniolo deal with Galatasaray

The Telegraph believe that Zaniolo – once likened to Paul Gascoigne by his agent – could be officially confirmed as an Aston Villa player within 48 hours.

Italian reporter Alfredo Pedulla goes one step further. He says that Zaniolo will jet out to England on Wednesday morning, Villa having agreed a deal with Galatasaray.

“Zaniolo to AstonVilla; it’s done!,” Pedulla writes on Twitter. “Exchange of documents in progress, green light (from) Galatasaray.”

 

Zaniolo, he adds, will join Villa on an initial loan deal. Should he impress, the 24-year-old could become a permanent member of Emery’s squad to the tune of £26.5 million.

“Figures confirmed; four million euro loan (fee), 20 million euro option to buy, seven million euros in quite simple bonuses. Departure tomorrow morning. (Zaniolo will) visit the training tomorrow afternoon.”

Aston Villa are also looking to bring in Marcos Acuna from Sevilla. The left-back won the World Cup with Argentina in December. Acuna’s arrival could allow Lucas Digne to leave for Saudi Arabia.