Report: Aston Villa now hopeful they can sign ‘phenomenal’ World Cup star in cut-price January deal

By Milo Clay

Aston Villa are now hopeful they can sign World Cup star Marcus Thuram in a cut-price January deal, according to the Express. 

Villa have kicked off the Unai Emery era with two brilliant wins in the Premier League. They stunned Manchester United at Villa Park before picking up a surprise victory against Brighton. 

Now, the Villains are looking to build on a positive start to Emery’s reign by improving the quality of the first-team. And it seems that they could be eyeing an ambitious move for Thuram. 

Villa hopeful over Thuram 

The Express reports that Villa now want a marquee forward in January and they’ve identified Thuram as a main target. 

Emery is keen to reignite his interest in the 25-year-old and he could be available at a cut-price next month, with his contract set to run until the summer. 

But Villa will face stiff competition for his signature, with the likes of Bayern Munich and Inter Milan showing strong interest. 

Thuram is said to favour a move to a Champions League outfit but the Express notes that Villa are prepared to make a play for his signature and are optimistic an agreement can be struck. 

Thuram has been in lethal form for Monchengladbach this season and has netted 13 times in 17 appearances. 

His form saw him named in Didier Deschamps’ France squad and he’s provided one assist in three appearances in Qatar. 

Thuram has been linked to a host of Premier League clubs, including the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham. 

Villa may face a tough task in bringing Thuram to the Midlands as he seems like an attractive prospect due to his contract expiring next summer. Nevertheless, if they manage to pull off an unlikely deal, it would be a brilliant signing for Emery. 

While Thuram will probably prefer a move to a Champions League side, it’s great to see Villa aiming to back Emery by targeting ‘phenomenal’ players like Thuram.