Aston Villa: Jordan Amavi sold to Olympique de Marseille

Amid the world’s worst-kept secret, Aston Villa finally sold left back Jordan Amavi to Marseille. The 23-year old will have the chance to train and compete with legendary French defender Patrice Evra.

Marseille has been linked to Jordan Amavi for a long time. I mean, a really long time. Every window since last summer has seen Amavi’s name linked with a move away from Aston Villa, and back to Ligue 1 with OM.

Finally, it came to fruition. The reported fee is £1.2 million up-front in a loan move. Should he meet specified conditions set forth between both parties, OM is obligated to buy his services at season’s end for £7.8 million. A coincidence of those two numbers? They add up to £9 million – the fee Villa paid Nice two summers ago under Tim Sherwood.

It’s not the £25 million Dr. Tony Xia said he was offered last year. But, let’s be honest: he was never offered that sum.

What exactly are the conditions? Probably total appearances or something close to its equivalent. Aston Villa would not agree to a loan deal only if they weren’t confident it would be sealed up by the end of the year.

This move leaves Aston Villa dangerously thin on the left fullback end. Let’s hope nothing bad happens to Neil Taylor because it could get ugly if so. Birkir Bjarnason started in The Carabao Cup, but it was not a pretty sight. James Bree, Ritchie De Laet, and 19-year old Academy product Oscar Borg represent the other options.

I still think a young left back should be brought in before the end of the deadline. Not simply because they need cover, but Neil Taylor also needs challenged both in training and on the teamsheet.

Next: Aston Villa draws Wigan in Carabao Cup

If he’s 85% of what he was pre-injury, Marseille are getting themselves one hell of a left back. Training with Patrice Evra everyday should strengthen every part of Amavi’s game.

All the best, Jordan!