Aston Villa working on £26million deal for star attacker as Emery wants ‘multiple reinforcements’

Ciaran McCarthy
Jeremy Doku, Rennes, February 2023
Jeremy Doku beats a man for Rennes

Aston Villa are reportedly expected to raise their offer from £21.6million to £26million for Jeremy Doku after their initial offer was rejected, as they want ‘multiple reinforcements’ in the attack.

Villa aren’t messing around this transfer window. It’s Unai Emery’s second in charge of the side, and after they finished seventh last season, he knows what he wants in order to build on that.

Youri Tielemans and Pau Torres have already walked through the door, and coveted attacker Moussa Diaby is reported to have agreed to join the club.

Things aren’t going to stop there in terms of attacking additions. Indeed, Tuttomercatoweb reports the Villans are ‘working on multiple reinforcements to flesh out the attack’.

The report states the next cab off that rank is Rennes winger Doku. They suggest the French outfit ‘recently rejected’ an offer in the region of £21.6million for the attacker, but Villa are ‘expected’ to bid an increased sum of around £26million.

It’s unclear whether Rennes would accept that or not. Recent reports have stated they’d let Doku go for around £35million, so Villa might have to up their offer.

If they do so, it does not seem personal terms with Doku would be an issue. Indeed, it was recently stated the winger was ‘ready to reject a Serie A transfer for the Premier League’.

That same report touched upon Liverpool interest, but stated they’re more likely to strengthen defence and midfield areas before looking at the attack.

As such, a move to Villa could be fitting. Even if they do sign Diaby, Doku could certainly strengthen the wide areas of the side – while the Midlanders have good players, the likes of Emi Buendia, for example, may be better suited in a more central role, where an out-and-out wide player could stretch the play and add another dimension to Villa’s game.

Indeed, adding both Diaby and Doku into the mix in one summer could allow them to play a different style of football, that could benefit them in some situations, and give them more avenues to impact games.

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