Aston Villa have expressed an interest in a ‘game changer’ who tackles more than Duracell bunny John McGinn.
After qualifying for the Champions League following a remarkable first full season at the helm, Unai Emery is fully focused on adding to his quality squad this summer.
The Spaniard will want to give his side some much-needed depth as they aim to juggle multiple competitions.
Although he aims to strengthen at Villa Park, he isn’t expected to recruit many players and admits his side will need to be “intelligent” in the transfer market due to the strain caused by Profit and Sustainability Rules.
“We must arrange at the beginning the fair play and through that to try and be intelligent to try and build a new team,” Emery explained. “More or less we are not thinking to add or sign a lot of players.”
The Villans have registered an interest in numerous players so far, including Paris Saint Germain midfielder Carlos Soler, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong and Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville.
Their interest in recruits doesn’t stop there, though, with one Chelsea player popping up on their radar.
Aston Villa interested in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher
According to the Telegraph, Villa are among the clubs to have shown an interest in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
The 24-year-old is in line to captain the Blues against Bournemouth on Sunday and the club has offered him a new contract, though it remains to be seen whether he renews terms at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have previously valued the Englishman at £50 million and that is unlikely to waver given his excellent performances, but with just one year left on his current deal, their asking price may have to drop.
This could play into Villa’s hands, with Emery looking to bolster his engine room.
Conor Gallagher tackles more than John McGinn
John McGinn draws so many plaudits for his ferocious playing style. The Scottish midfielder goes full-blooded into tackles and possesses incredible ball-carrying attributes.
In the Villa squad, McGinn makes the third most tackles per game (1.7) and is the perfect player for Emery’s pressing system.
The 29-year-old often sets the tone with his energy and dynamism, so it’s no surprise he’s started all but three of their games in the top flight.
Aston Villa target Gallagher possesses a similar play style to McGinn as he likes to drive forward from midfield and impact the game in the final third.
Remarkably, though, the Chelsea star has made more tackles (84) than McGinn’s total of 58 in the Premier League.
Gallagher was even likened to Blues icon Frank Lampard for his ability to be a “game changer” by Jermaine Jenas, citing his ability to press, get himself in the box and create chances as the main reasons behind that praise.
If Villa brought the highly-rated Englishman to B6 this summer, they’d be getting a Champions League-level talent in their midfield.
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