Aston Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi is expected to stay at Villa Park, according to Ashley Preece of Birmingham Live.
The Lowdown: Source’s Tuesday update
Reports from a Villa source on Tuesday morning suggested that Dean Smith was happy to let El Ghazi and Wesley Moraes go this summer.
Football Insider claimed that the pair had been told they were free to find new clubs, days after El Ghazi netted a penalty in Villa’s 3-1 pre-season win over Salernitana.
However, it appears as if that is not the case, going off reliable reporter Preece just hours later.
The Latest: Preece’s claim
Preece shared a story on Villa’s transfer state of play when it comes to incomings and outgoings on Birmingham Live.
Within his report, he addressed El Ghazi’s future in the Midlands, admitting he ‘is expected to stick around’ – a fairly important five-word update due to the rumours earlier in the day.
The Verdict: Keep
El Ghazi, who pundit Adam Clarke labelled as ‘remarkable’ last season, has just come off his best scoring campaign for five years, so keeping hold of him this summer appears to be a smart move.
With Jack Grealish sealing his move to Manchester City, Smith would have just three fit wingers in Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendia and Bertrand Traore, should they sell El Ghazi.
The Dutchman still has two years left on his contract, so if he doesn’t feature much in the first half of the season, Villa can always re-evaluate, but for now, it appears to be the right call.
In other news: ‘Keeps getting better’ – Many AVFC fans go wild as ‘great’ transfer news is confirmed.
