Aston Villa have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Milot Rashica, with Werder Bremen sporting director Frank Baumann insisting he won’t be sold.
The 24-year-old has been on Villa’s radar since the summer and Deich Stube (via HITC) said they could return when the winter transfer window opens, but it’s likely they will be met with some resistance. Baumann told Bild: “I would rule out (any of our players) leaving in winter.”
Birmingham Mail revealed in September that Villa triggered Rashica’s €22.5m (£20.4m) release clause but couldn’t get the deal over the line as they refused to match the Kosovan’s lofty wage demands, believed to be around £75,000-a-week, equating to £3.9m per year. However, that doesn’t appear to have scared off the Claret and Blues as a January approach looks likely.
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Rashica’s stock has fallen this season too, having spent the beginning of the campaign out with a knee injury while failing to score from his five appearances in 2020/21, so perhaps Villa think he is more attainable.
Last season, the 24-year-old scored 11 goals and supplied eight assists from 34 games in all competitions, so Rashica might start to shine when he’s fully fit. It’s easy to see why Villa are keen, even if he’s suffering a dip in form right now.
In other news, one key Aston Villa figure is reportedly wanted by another club in England.
