Aston Villa’s interest in Endrick and Jonathan David suggests Unai Emery has identified another centre-forward as one of the final priorities of his summer rebuild.
Two separate Aston Villa striker transfer approaches have emerged on Sunday. Villa have contacted Juventus over David and are also among the clubs exploring a loan for Real Madrid forward Endrick, despite Ollie Watkins remaining firmly established at Villa Park.
Neither move is guaranteed to happen. The fact Villa are assessing two forwards with significant senior pedigree, however, gives a strong indication of where Emery believes his squad still needs strengthening.
Aston Villa striker transfer search has changed
ReadAstonVilla reported earlier on Sunday that Villa had made contact over a potential loan for Jonathan David, with Juventus believed to be open to a temporary departure.
David endured a difficult first season in Turin after arriving from Lille, but his wider scoring record remains strong. Villa have tracked the Canada international for several months, having previously made enquiries over his availability.
The Endrick situation is different but points towards the same requirement.
Real Madrid are looking for a club capable of giving the Brazilian regular minutes, ideally as a centre-forward. Villa and Roma are both exploring a loan after Endrick returned from an encouraging spell with Lyon, where he scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 21 appearances.
Watkins remains Emery’s leading striker and scored 21 goals last season, so this does not look like Villa searching for an immediate replacement.
Instead, they appear to want another forward capable of reducing the burden on him without demanding another major permanent investment.
Loan deals give Villa greater flexibility
The proposed structures are significant.
Villa have already committed considerable money to rebuilding the squad following Morgan Rogers’ £117million move to Chelsea, while further business is progressing in defence and midfield.
A loan for either Endrick or David would allow Villa to add proven attacking quality while protecting funds for other positions. In David’s case, previous reporting suggested Juventus may need to contribute towards his wages or agree a temporary deal containing a future purchase clause.
Endrick would offer something different. At 20, he would arrive primarily to develop and compete, rather than expecting to immediately displace Watkins.
There would still be an obvious question over minutes. Real Madrid want any loan to provide Endrick with meaningful opportunities, and Villa would have to convince them that Champions League football alongside Watkins offers the right pathway.
That may explain why Villa are keeping more than one option open.
Emery’s priorities are becoming clearer
Villa’s interest is even more revealing when viewed alongside their other transfer decisions.
ReadAstonVilla reported on Sunday that the club are not currently prioritising another left-wing signing, suggesting Emery is increasingly satisfied with the wide options available to him.
Alejandro Garnacho has already arrived on loan from Chelsea following Rogers’ departure, giving Villa another direct attacker capable of operating from the left.
Attention can therefore move elsewhere.
Villa have spent much of the summer rebuilding their midfield and defence. Now two separate striker approaches suggest adding genuine competition for Watkins has moved further up the list.
David would provide experience and a proven European scoring record. Endrick would offer greater potential and a different type of attacking threat.
Villa may sign neither.
Their interest in both, though, offers the clearest indication yet of what Emery wants next.
