Aston Villa and Newcastle have now both made contact to sign a player who has been compared to Jude Bellingham.
Both the Villans and the Magpies have gatecrashed the UEFA Champions League places across the last two seasons, showing real intent to upset the apple cart in England’s top-flight.
That intent is showing no sign of slowing down either, as Aston Villa and Newcastle now both make a move to sign one of Europe’s top talents…
Aston Villa and Newcastle enquire about Assan Ouedraogo
A story by Sky Germany now claims that Unai Emery and Eddie Howe both want to sign Schalke No.43 Assan Ouedraogo.
The 18-year-old made a real name for himself with the German outfit in the Bundesliga 2 last season, scoring three goals while also providing two assists in 17 appearances from central midfield.
Sky Germany believe it will cost just £12m for Newcastle or Aston Villa to sign Ouedraogo – who has also been the subject of approaches from Manchester United and Liverpool as well.
However, it is said that none of the English sides involved are planning to loan the Germany U17 international back to Schalke – whereas the teenager himself hopes to be sent back for one more season.
Ouedraogo is also said to prefer a Bundesliga move with RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt pushing for his signature, so Aston Villa and Newcastle will have to be very tempting if they are to sign the talent from Mülheim an der Ruhr.
18-year-old is a special talent
As aforesaid, Ouedraogo has been compared to Bellingham by a scout report from Transfermarkt – which emphasises just how precocious a talent he is – although the England international is not the only superstar the German prodigy has been likened to.
The Bundesliga’s official website have also made a bold comparison, likening the Aston Villa and Newcastle target to Michael Essien, thanks to his “explosive pace and power” which helps him surge between the lines.
Midfielders of this ilk – those who possess impressive physical traits but also boast the technical skills to be dangerous with the ball – are very effective in the modern era, as Bellingham’s rise to stardom emphasises.
Therefore, it is entirely possible that Ouedraogo also becomes a household name very soon – be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as Aston Villa and Newcastle battle for his signature.