Sunderland are now willing to sell their outstanding player this season to Aston Villa for a substantial fee… not because they want to, but because they have to.
Aston Villa want to sign Sunderland star Enzo Le Fee in the summer, and the Premier League side are now willing to sanction a transfer for the right price.
Le Fee joined Sunderland mid-way through their Championship promotion-winning campaign last season, and he has since gone on to become a key player in the Premier League, picking up five assists and averaging 2.6 tackles per 90, which is the highest number in the Black Cats squad.
Aston Villa’s top tacklers
Average per 90 (Premier League)
Youri Tielemans
2.8
Amadou Onana
2.4
Ian Maatsen
2.4
Emiliano Buendia
2.3
Boubacar Kamara
2.3
Douglas Luiz
2.3
Lamare Bogarde
2.3
Villa, on the other hand, have been left short on options in the middle of the park at times this season, with former midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger saying after the defeat against 1-0 Everton in January: “Emery was extremely frustrated and I think he hinted that the squad depth is not there.”
At that time, Unai Emery was without Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley, which arguably had an impact on the Villans ultimately falling away in the Premier League title race.
Barkley has since received criticism for his performances, and there have been suggestions the English midfielder could move on in the summer, with Coventry City and Wrexham among the interested parties.
As such, some additional depth may be required in the engine room, and Aston Villa are now plotting a move for Le Fee, according to a report from Sports Boom, which states they are set to rival Liverpool for his signature.
Interestingly, while Sunderland aren’t willing to roll over and cash-in for a low fee, they are now willing to sell the central midfielder, should they receive at least £35m.
Lauded as “unbelievable” by journalist Josh Bunting, the Frenchman has missed just two Premier League matches for the Black Cats this season, during which time he’s impressed from both an attacking and defensive point of view.
Enzo Le Fee’s Premier League statistics this season
2,485 minutes played
4 goals
5 assists
4.6 recoveries per 90
41 chances created
Villa closing in on Champions League return after Sunderland victory
Aston Villa’s plans to raid their Premier League rivals have come to light after the 4-3 victory against Sunderland at Villa Park, which leaves them in a very strong position to qualify for the Champions League.
Chelsea’s form has nosedived, and the Villans are eight points clear of Brighton with a game in hand, but Emery has insisted they aren’t over the line just yet, saying: “We’re doing so well but there’s still hurdles to get past. With the confidence and belief we have among each other, we should get the job done.”
A trip to Fulham is up next for Emery’s side, before they travel to Nottingham Forest for the first leg of the Europa League semi-final the following Thursday.
