It didn’t seem that Aston Villa were going to complete much business in January, but Dean Smith is closing in on his first signing of the winter transfer window in Morgan Sanson.
According to talkSPORT, the Villans are in advanced talks with Marseille over a deal for the midfielder worth £16m. The 26-year-old is being granted a move away because L’OM want the money for new recruits.
Marseille manager Andres Villa-Boas was pressed on Sanson’s future and admitted: “The transfer window is open. Sanson is a player who is highly rated. He is a boy who interests English teams because of his characteristics, and it is possible something could happen.”
The French midfielder has made 156 appearances in all competitions since joining Marseille from Montpellier in 2017. He has been a regular under Villas-Boas, making 18 appearances across the board this season, so his departure may come with a heavy heart.
Nevertheless, their loss is set to be Villa’s gain as the 26-year-old should improve Smith’s squad. Sanson has had a hand in five goals from nine Ligue 1 starts in 2020/21 while creating 12 chances, making eight successful dribbles and averaging either a tackle (21) or interception (nine) every 24 minutes (WhoScored).
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John McGinn, Douglas Luiz and Ross Barkley make up a strong midfield at Villa but aren’t the most potent, with only three goals between them in all competitions this term.
Also, Smith needs more depth in the engine room as Conor Hourihane and Marvelous Nakamba have hardly featured this season, with just 613 minutes of playing time between them. Villa’s options have been depleted by the Irishman’s departure on loan to Swansea today.
Sanson would duly be a smart signing and should push the aforementioned trio for a starting place.
