Steven Gerrard admitted days ago that the Aston Villa squad is too ‘bloated’ and needs trimming this summer, so a lot of out-of-favour players could be moved on before the transfer window shuts. Anwar El Ghazi should be one of them after falling down the pecking order last season.
The 27-year-old initially joined Villa on loan from LOSC Lille in 2018 before turning the move permanent in 2019. El Ghazi has gone on to make 119 appearances in all competitions, scoring 26 goals with 16 assists, but he may have played his final game for the club.
El Ghazi made 12 appearances in all competitions for Villa last season and was loaned out to Everton midway through the campaign without impressing, so Gerrard won’t have the Dutch international in his plans moving forward.
El Ghazi’s contract is up in 2023 too, so Villa need to cash in this window rather than risk losing him for nothing next year. Whether suitors are willing to sign him permanently with one league goal scored in more than 12 months remains to be seen, but this is the only chance Villa have to get value from the 27-year-old.
He’s featured in only one pre-season game this summer, playing 45 minutes in the 4-0 win over Walsall nearly three weeks ago, so it’s clear El Ghazi isn’t fancied.
