According to the Birmingham Mail, Aston Villa agreed on loaning Frederic Guilbert back to Caen for the rest of the season because that was the only way that they could wrap up the deal this month.
The 24-year-old right-back signed today for a fee of around £5 million, but Villa will allow him to remain in Ligue 1 until the summer so that he can try and help Caen avoid relegation to Ligue 2.
When he was asked about why a loan deal was included in the arrangement, Smith said:
It was part of the agreement with Caen. They’re fighting relegation and want to keep their best players. We just felt that we were okay to let him stay there and play until the end of the season.
He’s got time to brush up on his English skills now, too! When he comes to Birmingham, he will be Fred Gilbert.
Smith went over to France to watch him play earlier this month and ended up seeing him get sent off, but that has obviously not deterred him.
